Sorcerer (Linux distribution)

Sorcerer is a .

= Technical distinctives =

A somewhat distinctive feature of Sorcerer is the fact that it s based exclusively on source code software package. While many other operating systems generally make use of a package that contains pre-compiled (executable) programs, Sorcerer GNU/Linux packages compile the source code on the machine at install time. Other source-based Linux distributions include Gentoo Linux and Lunar Linux.

This method of package installation has many advantages, including increased speed due to compilation optimization for the host s architecture, and easier security scanning of the installed software. The package management system keeps track of updates to packages at the home page of each package, so that new versions can be downloaded and installed as they become available. It also tracks library dependencies, so if a library file is updated, all binaries that depend on that library can be recompiled.

One disadvantage is the high minimum system requirements, since a significant amount of compilation is required to install a system with extensive functionality. As of 2002, these included 256MB RAM and 1GB of swap space. This is suggested because compiling the entire system from scratch consumes large amounts of system resources.

Users can add new packages to the packaging system on their local box by creating a spell or configuration file for it, and can submit the new spell for inclusion in the general distribution.

Sorcerer s packaging system is written in the bash language.

= History =

In 2001, Kyle Sallee created a source-based Linux distribution called Sorcerer GNU/Linux and released it under the GPL. Others became involved in the project, but increasingly objected to how Kyle Sallee ran the project. They asserted that Sallee s changes often caused working systems to fail. They also objected to Kyle s development approach, in which he was the sole developer for key portions of the system. In late 2001, due to these differences on how the project should be run, a fork was created called Lunar Penguin, later renamed to Lunar Linux. This was completely legal under the licensing agreement.

Kyle Sallee then completely removed Sorcerer from the web in response to the establishment of Lunar Linux. This meant that none of the Sorcerer GNU/Linux users could update their software, harming users and developers who were not even part of the conflict.

Many developers tried, but failed, to convince Kyle to continue the project. As a result, developers Ryan Abrams and Eric Schabell took over the GPL d sources and put up a website; at first they used its original name, Sorcerer GNU/Linux . Kyle requested that the new project change its name. The developers agreed to do so, and eventually decided on the name Source Mage. On April 4, 2002, these developers placed their website content on sourcemage.org. Most of the remaining Sorcerer developers (except the Sorcerer founder and those supporting the Lunar Linux project) moved to the Source Mage project.

Soon afterwards Kyle Sallee rewrote much of his code, and released it under a non-GPL license called the Sorcerer Public License (SPL). He also slightly renamed the project, as Sorcerer instead of Sorcerer GNU/Linux .

= See also =

*List of Linux distributions *Comparison of Linux distributions

= External links =

*[http://sorcerer.wox.org/ Official site for Sorcerer] *[http://pooster.blogspot.com/2004/09/whats-wrong-with-sorcerer.html What s wrong with Sorcerer] *[http://lwn.net/Articles/145233/ About Source Mage]