[Openembedded-users] How do you actually build from your local.conf?

[Adam Nielsen]

Hi all,

I'm a bit confused trying to figure out exactly how OE works.  In my 
local.conf I set a DISTRO variable to dictate - I presume - what gets included 
in my rootfs.

However according to the OE user manual, to actually start compiling and 
create an image I should type "bitbake" followed by an image name.

I don't understand what the difference is between the two.  Why am I able to 
put DISTRO="angstrom-2008.1" in local.conf and then type "bitbake opie-image"? 
  What happens then?

All I want to do at the moment is build a kernel with an initrd that contains 
busybox.  What do I type to achieve that?

Thanks,
Adam.