Ben,
If you are actively working on a distro, then I'm going to leave it to you so that we don't repeat the same work. HeadUnit works in a framebuffer so we don't need to include X11. However, if the user wants to run GPS software (like iGuidance or Destinator), then X11 is required since we will require Wine. I suggest we make a non-GPS and a GPS version of the distro. The non-GPS version would be framebuffer based, and the GPS version would be X11 based.
Here are some thoughts I had for how the distro would work:
1) Files in the distro CD image:
Base linux packages: glibc, bash, busybox, etc. NOTE: I highly recommend that you use busybox since it includes almost all the shell commands that you would ever need and it is EXTREMLY lightweight. You can even compile out the commands that you don't need.
Framebuffer version packages:
fbdev, qt-embedded, fbxine, freetype, plus other dependencies
X11 version packages:
Nano-X (small footprint replacement for a full X-server:
http://www.microwindows.org/), qt, xine, wine
Kernel versions:
VIA EPIA (C3)
VIA EPIA (C3 Nehemiah)
VIA EPIA P4
Athlon
P4
etc...
Optional loadable modules (one for each kernel version):
alsa sound cards
d-link radio
touchscreen
xmradio
pcmcia
network drivers
other device drivers
2) Operation of distro CD:
1. When the user boots with the CD, the CD loads its generic kernel that works on any processor, and mounts all attached drives.
2. It asks the user to create/select the boot, install and swap partitions. Alternatively, it offers the user an option to choose the drive and let the installer create its own partitions.
3. It asks the user what version of the kernel to use (this should match the processor on their CarPC)
4. It asks the user what optional kernel modules it should install (or it lets him install all of them)
5. It asks the user if they want to do a framebuffer-only install, an X11-only install, or both.
6. It then copies over the base image, the correct kernel version, the correct kernel modules, and the correct remaining packages specific to the type of install the user selected (framebuffer and/or X11)
7. It runs scripts to configure all the /etc files correctly and setup grub to boot the correct kernel and boot partition.
8. It runs scripts to configure the network correctly.
9. It offers the option to run a GPS software installer (wine will be included on the install CD, so the GPS installer will run in wine)
10. Boot the CarPC.
Just one possible way for how it could work...
Let me know how you were planning to do it.