Public SourceMage Discussion List

[Duane Macolm <d.malcolm AT auckland.ac.nz>]

Dufflebunk wrote:

> On Wed, 11 Dec 2002, Duane Macolm wrote:
>  
>
> > Dufflebunk wrote:
> >
> >    
> >
> > > A global /boot might be a good idea, depending on if you'll be playing 
> > > with different kernels, then you can easily use lilo to boot to all of 
> > > your various systems.
> > >
> > >      
> > I would anticipate using different kernels. For example, a new kernel 
> > would be in the SGML-devel before SGML-stable. In this case would a 
> > global /boot would be a good idea. In the past I have had a /boot in 
> > each partition which required a copy of all kernels on the system in 
> > each /boot for lilo to work properly. I guess I would make this an 
> > extended partition.
> >    
> I would personaly keep a single /boot, but you will have to rename kernels 
> to things like vmlinubz-test1-2.4.10 and vmlinubz-stable-2.4.19, and not 
> use the kernel the linux spell makes. 
Agreeing

>  
>
> > > A (arguably) better way is to use something like VMWare, so you'll be able 
> > > to have the testing systems booted at the same time and there's no need to 
> > > reboot.
> > >
> > >      
> > VMWare doesn't have source and is propriety software. I think I would 
> > prefer to reboot into each tree/partition, this way there is no chance 
> > of destroying my work partition while playing around with SGML-devel 
> > through VMWare. If need be can I do this by using "chroot"?
> >    
> Yes, it is non-free (by any definition). Using VMWare though, you won't 
> destroy your stuff... vmware runs a virtual computer... it's kinda weird. 
> But very safe.
> There is also 'bochs' I think the project name is. Perhaps someone else 
> knows more about this possiblity?
> At least one person has set up test systems in a chroot. There is some 
> info on this on the wiki. Again, can anyone else fill in the limits of 
> such a chrooted system?
I have seen the chroot stuff in the wiki, this is where I got the idea 
that I may be able to use it. I guess using something like VMWare isn't 
essential at the moment. My computer is portable, so I take it to work 
in the morning and home at night, so I have to reboot anyway. I think I 
will get the partitions setup first and then when I get adventurous I 
will look into VMWare or wait for linux kernel 2.6, as George Mochrie 
just said.

>  
>
> > I would be replacing my swap partition with a swap file, is there any 
> > difference/pros/cons with usinga swap file instead?
> >    
> The same swap partition can be used by every system image you have. Why 
> would you want a swap file?
> A swapfile can be fragmented, and does live in a file system which might 
> slow it down a (very) tiny bit.
Yep, I would agree to keep it. I now have to learn how to use extended 
partitions.

Cheers, Duane.

>  
>
> > > On Wed, 11 Dec 2002, Duane Macolm wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > >      
> > >
> > > > Hi,
> > > >
> > > > This is a bit off the topic of bugs and problems but it gives us an 
> > > > oppotunity to think kind of sideways a little.
> > > >
> > > > I use my pc for work and to play around with linux. Unfortunately, when 
> > > > playing around with linux I sometimes screw my pc over and can't work. 
> > > > So I have been thinking alot about how to setup my computer so I work 
> > > > and play without jeopardizing each other.
> > > >
> > > > This is what I have come up with (HD = 80GB):
> > > >
> > > > Primary partition 1 (10GB): work partition using the stable tree of SGML
> > > > Primary partition 2 (20GB): home partiton
> > > > Primary partition 3 (30GB): backup partition
> > > > Primary partition 4 (10GB): play partition 1 using stable tree of SGML
> > > > Extended partition 5 (10GB): play partition 2 using devel tree of SGML
> > > >
> > > > I will use partition 5 to play with linux and test new spells.
> > > > I will use partition 4 as my stable play partition and will run "sorcery 
> > > > system-update" on to ensure there are no problems before updating 
> > > > partition 1. I had a problem two days ago where I couldn't work 
> > > > yesterday because I did a "sorcery system-update" and pango wouldn't 
> > > > play nice. This would provide a way around this problem. I could also 
> > > > use this partition to test fresh installs if need be.
> > > > I will rsync partition 1 and partition 2 to the backup partition.
> > > >
> > > > I was wanting advice on improvements and other peoples experience. This 
> > > > issue must have been thought about in the past and there is probably a 
> > > > "best" way to do this.
> > > >
> > > > Cheers, Duane.
> > > >        
>
>