Tools such as Linux From Scratch, NimbleX Live CD Generator, Kiwi image system, and the Ubuntu Customization Kit can help you create your own custom Linux system.
GIMP isn’t the only option for photo manipulation. ImageMagick, a collection of command-line programs for image processing, can help you process multiple images in one go.
Look here for archived tutorials and talks from USENIX Security '08. Each comprises a video and recorded presentation slides which are shown parallel to the talk.