>>Thanks for the information, it makes perfect sense. You can tell I've been in the Windoze world for too long... accept the fact there are a billion DLLs, etc. just because they are there. Imagine if Windoze was open source, it'd be the best "upgrade" in Windoze history! :)
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>>So, to what degree does someone have to be an OS and/or C/C++ expert to make such eliminations of the unneeded components, and to make adjustments for their own hardware?
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>John,
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>You don't need to be an expert at all (I know this, since I ain't one *smile*). Recompiling the kernel is a matter of running a text-based or XWindows app that lets say Yes, No, or Maybe (module) to the various things that can be compiled in. You may need to know more about your hardware than you would like (like what exact type of CDROM drive you have, or the exact model of network card), but the offset is that once it is compiled in, you are all set! No need to get additional drivers from the vendors and whatnot.
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>Also, most hardware now is becoming standard. Most CDROMs are IDE or SCSI, any non-WinModem will work fine in Linux, and recent kernels have support for virtually ever network card you can think of.
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>One thing that may be touchy is the cheap sound that comes with some PCs. You will want to stick to a good old SoundBlaster ISA card if you can, as these work splendidly. Anything by Creative is a good bet, as they actually have staff writing Linux drivers at this point, even for things as recent as the SB Live, etc.
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>Check out the Kernel-HOWTO in your docs and it should tell you what you need to know. Don't fear the penguin! *smile*
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>JoeK

Let me second what Joe says!
I've recompiled the kernel several times to add scsii or parport or modules and have never had a miscompile.
Easy to do.
Use either the menuconfig or xmenuconfig options to be able go back and change previous settings.
JLK