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Pinux Proposal
Introduction
Pinux is a portable external linux system. The idea behind pinux is the ability to use linux on any computer, currently based on the x86 platform, from an external hard drive. The version of linux that we are going to use is Gentoo Linux. It allows for customization that will be need to create the linux software for different machines.
Project Details
Pinux is going to be the downloadable version of Gentoo Linux installed on a 160 GB external hard drive that connects to the computer through a usb connection. In order for this connection to be able to boot the drive, the bios must be able to boot from a usb device. Otherwise a boot cdrom will be used to enable the usb device to be loaded allowing the boot driver on the external hard drive to be booted. The boot loader that will be used is GNU GRUB with the Gentoo version of linux.
Other Choices
- Option #1:Using Linux from a livecd. This option is available to users who want to just use linux on a temporary basis. Nothing can be stored while running linux for a livecd. In addition, the command line prompt is the only available option given to the user.
- Option #2:Buying a laptop and installing linux on the laptop. This option is very costly. The user then has to install linux on this machine which maybe result in hours being spend to propertly install the system.
Why this project?
The reason that the group wanted to tackle this project is that linux can be used more independently from the typical development role that is it known. The alternatives for using linux outside of your home environment are less then desirable because of limitations of these options. Hence, the group wants to provide more flexible options when using linux. Furthermore, the group wants the ability to have the same operating environment away from home as it does when working at home. Command line is fun, but GUI is easier.