# Everest Linux - About

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# About Everest

Everest Linux is a source based Linux meta-distribution.

### History of Everest

2021 - The idea of a system that combines the simplicity of binary packaging with the flexibility of source based packaging was born

Early 2022 - Early prototypes of Glacier were created. These versions came with no multi-repository support, caching, or logging of any kind

Mid 2022 - Glacier reaches a stable release point

Late June 2022 - everestlinux.org is registered and git.everestlinux.org goes online

September 2022 - Early prototypes of the ELIF (Everest Linux Installation Framework) are completed

October 2022 - Glacier v3 enters testing

### Design Principles

Our design principles guide the development of Everest. You may notice we share most of these with Arch (because Arch is very cool).

Simplicity - We provide packages with almost zero modifications from upstream, except when necessary.

The base Everest system only includes what you need to start building your system - UNIX tools, a C library, a C compiler, and Glacier.

The base Everest system also weighs in at around 100 MB (may vary with different images, such as GNU or systemd).

Flexibility - Everest is designed with flexibility in mind. Any modification can be achieved if the user has enough knowledge

For example, it is possible to replace Busybox with sbase, or use runit as your init system, all without breaking the system.

Functionality vs Ideology - The developers of Everest are strong advocates of free software, but understand that

it cannot be implemented 100% of the time, such as in the form of drivers. We also understand that some users may prefer proprietary

software over libre counterparts. We do not take steps to prevent proprietary software in our repositories,

only requiring it to be under the multiverse repository.

This is very different from heavily ideological distributions, such as Hyperbola, some of which don't even support many packages/features people may find useful,

such as systemd, dbus, rust, java, sudo, and most recently, bluetooth.

User Centrality - We believe that instead of trying to make Everest beginner friendly, and work out of the box,

we should instead focus on users with a willingness to learn how to install and use Everest.