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This library will make undead clones (Zombies) of
the classic Slackware® ethos. The original Slackware® lives
on; this is my personal revival: neither fully "dead" (static
traditional install) nor "live" (RAM-only), but persistently bootable
and updatable forever.
Note that the Zombie library is my independent
project—built with respect for Slackware®'s foundations, but not
affiliated or endorsed. Use at your own risk, and enjoy the
shambling!
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The SAM.Zombie library is in work. Check back
later.
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A ZombieDrive uses a minimum of three
partitions:
A Drive partition containing an
rsynced–and–tweaked copy of a reference installation. (I call
this reference installation the Basis. Note
that I update my Basis periodically but
don't use it otherwise—you should do the same with
yours.) The rsyncing and tweaking happen via the
SAM.Zombie library's install
script.
Optionally, add Alien Bob's LiveSlak ISO to the
root in a LiveSlak directory. A Keep partition with files for implementing
Zombie persistence and customizations. I'll
provide one or several example directories you can copy/modify, but
you must populate the Keep partition yourself (find
an example in the SAM.Zombie library).
These files can also tweak a RAM-resident
LiveSlak on-the-fly for persistence (add packages,
customize KDE, etc.). The install command handles
either a traditional install or LiveSlak instance. Note: the
LiveSlak way is more cumbersome—a proof-of-principle that helped
develop SAM.Zombie, but handy as a backup in a
pinch. A Swap partition—just in case.
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To build a ZombieDrive with a
Zombie on it, follow these steps:
Install SAM and the
SAM.Zombie library on a convenient device (I use a
non-bootable flash drive). Or let the install
command create an optional Ring partition on the
ZombieDrive for SAM itself. Boot a Slackware® ISO, install to an internal drive to create
your Basis (follow the recipe for the
Zombie you wish to make). Optionally, let
install create a Pinkie partition
on the ZombieDrive to hold the ISO for booting it
directly. Update the Basis. Use the included
up_basis tool: it handles slackpkg key/setup, then
runs update, install-new, upgrade-all, clean-system. If kernel
changes, remake initrd.gz with mkmkinitrd from the
library. Confirm the new initrd.gz by booting the generic
kernel. Run SAM.Zombie's
stamp and rooter commands when
your Basis updates are finished. Run the library's install command (specify
Basis and target device). Midway,
populate/revise the Keep partition when
prompted. This, together with the recipe for the
Basis, determines the Zombie's
name and characteristics.
This creates a GRUB-bootable ZombieDrive with
options such as these:
- Your Zombie
- Slackware(R) 15.0 Install
- Slackware(R) 15.0 Basis—huge, no initrd
- Slackware(R) 15.0 Basis—generic
- LiveSlak64 15.0
Physically label your ZombieDrive!
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To apply the latest Slackware® updates to a
Zombie, refresh the Basis (step 3),
then re-run install (step 4).
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