[tlug] A Distro Question

["Kenneth Burling" <meyaden_emrys@example.com>]

I have a question about distributions.

I am wanting to build a new computer some time in the next couple of months, 
or maybe reutilize an old one.  One of the things I would like to do, is 
that one one of the hard drives I will install Ubuntu or some other 
reasonably solid/stable distro.  One one of the others, I wish to install a 
system that will basically need to be built from the ground up.

Which distributions are good for this sort of thing?  I want to find one 
that will let me install a bare minimum system, and a compiler.  A working 
copy of lynx might be good as well, but that can be compiled after the fact 
also if need be.

:P  It has been years since I had to do anything close to boot strapping a 
system, and I am feeling masochistic. ^_^  The package based systems are 
awesome.  The average user can (in most cases) just put a CD in and go;  
However, I am wanting to learn the ins and outs of a modern distro a little 
more thoroughly than that, and many package based distros like to get flaky 
if you go outside their packages. :P

Would a stage 1 install of gentoo fit the bill perhaps?  :P  And how tricky 
is it to recompile the compiler after installing a new kernel? :P hehehehe.  
I know in most cases that is not required, but I know that many new 
compilers are supposed to be self hosting. ^_^