Is there a way to customize the Raspbian OS

Question

Is there a way I can customize the Raspbian Buster img File?

Here's what I want to customize:

1. For the first boot setup screen I want to only 9 specific countries along with 1 generic no country specific setting and the ability to add more countries if needed.

2. For those 9 countries I want 27 specific cities with the ability to add more if needed.

3. Set up specific Password Requirements for certain countries, i.e. Mexico needs 15 characters, France needs 11 characters and New Zealand only needs 6 characters.

4. Setting up IP addresses like IPv4, Gateway and netmask that can connect with other servers within a local network.

5. Customize packages on Raspian to add custom packages I do need and to take away packages I don't need i.e. Scratch.

6. Make my own software repository tree for future builds of the OS, for instance to build .iso and .img files.

7. Set Root and the Bootloader (if possible) passwords.

8. Set different accounts from the start.

My plan is to run this on a RaspberryPi 4, 1GB RAM and 4G RAM, I will also be comparing this by running the RaspberryPis with Fedora, and Chromium OS with the same qualifications.

I banned form the RaspberryPi forum for a month because I was being to confusing for them and kept insisting I didn't know what I was talking about.

shabaz · Answer

Hi Bob,

That's a sizeable list. From the way it is all framed, it appears that you're asking for how to build a new version of Raspbian with the differences you've listed. Anyone is free to build their own Linux image, but it's a full-time job for someone. Some businesses have a team of people that all they do is maintain such a thing.

Anyway, if you wish to do this, it looks like the scripts are here, you'd need to modify these:

https://github.com/RPi-Distro/pi-gen

However what's the actual goal? And is the main objective above to simplify installation for an end user who will have the hardware and no software pre-installed on a micro SD card? What is the precise workflow for the end user?

I ask, because there can be simpler ways. Since your end goal, and what you're trying to accomplish with the list above, and the workflow you're envisaging, isn't revealed, it's hard to advise much.

clem57 · Answer

Then create an autoscript to invoke all of them...

balearicdynamics · Answer

Hello, IMHO, you mentioned the question in a way that the notable friends above mentioned immediately the Linux rebuild option. I have done this on other kinds of Linux platforms for embedded devices (as a job) in past, but this is a very complex work that also requiring a lot of testing to be sure you reach a stable version. But... I think that if we see things from a different point of view, there is a more light perspective that may be helpful in saving you time ad big efforts. Consider that most (or all, I am not sure) of the changes you need can be just obtained customizing a pilot standard Raspberry Buster setup. At least it is what I have done in many different cases. Focus on the changes that you need and see how to do them using the normal Linux tools starting from a standard Raspbian version. Create an image of the modified installation Use it for set up all the other Raspberry Pi you need just like using the standard Buster image you downloaded from the official site. In addition, if something should be custoimzed after the first boot, follow the suggestion of clem57 and write down a first boot script that self-delete itself after setting the needed changes. Enrico

aswinvenu · Answer

Hi Bob, This sounds like you almost wanted a customized OS (Operating System). My suggestion would be please don't waste time digging into Raspbian OS. Why don't you make your own Operating system. Sounds crazy!?? But there are tools to do this. Do you want to do this in the hard way ??? Please read Linux From scratch. Welcome to Linux From Scratch! The other way would be Yocto project https://www.yoctoproject.org/ If you like the luxury of already existing Operating System. Please check susestudio from opensuse. https://studioexpress.opensuse.org/ I haven't used suse studio myself. But you can do a lot of customization there. Hope this helps. Thanks and regards, Aswin