\begin{itemize}
   \item
   \index{distributions}

   There are many \textbf{Linux} distributions, ranging from very
   widely used to obscure. They vary by intended usage, hardware and
   audience, as well as support level. A very comprehensive list can be
   found at \url{https://lwn.net/Distributions/}.
   Another list that shows even more flavors and recent updates
   can be found at \url{https://distrowatch.com}.

   \item

   \ifcheckcourse{LFD401}{
      We have tried to keep this material as distribution-independent as
      possible. For all but the most
      specialized distributions this will not present any inconveniences.
   }{
      We have tried to keep this material as distribution-independent as
      possible, and thus we will focus on \textbf{vanilla} kernels as
      obtained from \url{https://www.kernel.org}. For all but the most
      specialized distributions this will not present any inconveniences.

      \item

      You should be able to do any of the laboratory exercises provided
      herein on any major distribution using the vendor-supplied kernel,
      as long as you have the kernel source or development packages
      installed. Furthermore, the supplied solutions should compile and
      run as long as the kernel is not too antique; some exercises may
      require the newer custom-compiled kernels we will build.

   }


   \item

   Occasionally, which distribution you are using will matter, but this
   should only happen when we (reluctantly) have to dive into system
   administration, such as when we must describe the location of
   particular files and directories or how to install certain required
   software packages.  Fortunately, modern distributions differ much
   less in these matters than they did in the early days of
   \textbf{Linux}; we will rarely have to deal with such
   inconveniences.
\end{itemize}
\input{distro.inc}

