Could you skip all that and use something like busybox or buildroot?
On Sun, Apr 15, 2018, 3:20 PM Richard Owlett <rowl...@cloud85.net> wrote: > On 04/15/2018 12:43 PM, Brian wrote: > > On Sun 15 Apr 2018 at 08:55:45 -0500, Richard Owlett wrote: > > > >> I wish to do an _*EXTREMELY*_ minimalist install of Debian to a USB > flash > >> drive (aka /dev/sdb1) assuming use as a MBR device. > >> > >> I currently use the i386 flavor of Stretch. > >> My hardware allows choosing to boot from a flash drive. > >> > >> I suspect that if using deboostrap the closest I can come is using > >> "--variant=minbase" which apparently installs apt. My definition of > >> "minimalist" would prefer not to. > > > > I decided to answer this post without equating "idiosyncratic" with > > "bonkers". > > ROFL <*GRIN*> > "bonkers" implies "not of sound mind. > "idiosyncratic" explicitly states my assumption that no-one else may > have _exactly_ my goals > > > > > apt is Priority: important. Try removing it from any Debian system. > > For installing, your definition of "minimalist" is of no importance > > or consequence. > > To you, likely <chuckle>. > BTW, you just reminded me that apt has a "purge" command. > If DEBOOTSTRAP / GRML-DEBOOTSTRAP installs "cruft", that could be useful. > Might even attempt using apt to remove itself ;/ > > Suggested reading: > https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-faq/ch-pkg_basics.en supports > my contention that only "Priority: Required" packages are absolutely > necessary. > > It states (in part): > > Systems with only the Required packages are probably unusable, but they > > do have enough functionality to allow the sysadmin to boot > > and install more software. > > <chuckle> > > > > > >> For my definitely idiosyncratic purposes *absolutely NOTHING* but grub > >> related tools will _ever_ be run from this device. > >> > >> What are the trade-offs of choosing between debootstrap and > grml-debootstap? > >> I understand that either way I have some reading to do ;/ > > > > Does this relate to your suspicions? Or, is it an unrelated question? > > > > It *IS* the question. > Is there a difference in capability between DEBOOTSTRAP and > GRML-DEBOOTSTRAP? > Or is it *ONLY* a difference of perceived convenience which will differ > between individuals and/or projects? > > > >
