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Re: SEUL: Partitioning
> I know that we aren't supposed to know what a SEUL-CD is at this stage, but
> if the base SEUL filesystem is in a file on CD, it could be copied to the
> DOS drive (if a user cannot do this, then they should not be attempting to
> run Linux, IMHO, although a setup program could be provided). This means
> that the generic Linux system is installed before Linux is even booted,
> which _removes_ the need for boot+root disks (something which I would love
> to see, although Debian is supposed to boot from CD). Once Linux has been
> booted from this file, all the optional components can be installed.
OK, we're back on the CD thing again, but in some sense it may be time (at
least limited to this particular thread):
If we're going to have a live filesystem residing on the/a CD, why bother even
making them copy it over to the HD for a trial run? There are only a few
(countable on one hand) CD-ROM drives out there that don't work under Linux,
in which case we'll have to provide tools under DOS (eew!!) to copy over the
live filesystem components needed. (aside: we need to [eventually] provide
tools for all contingencies if we plan to support older hardware. Otherwise
we start adopting some of M$'s policies: "It's supported, but you'll have to
do this, this, and that to get it working, and oh, you'll need new hardware")
Basically, we have them put the CD in the drive under Winblows95,
autowhatever.inf starts up the nifty-cool Windoze version of the install,
operating in TRIAL MODE (as stated loudly by the splash screen), it copies
over a basic loopback root, does some evil/disgusting magic to pseudo-mount
the filesystem to change a few config files (told ya it's evil/disgusting),
provide the means to boot the system, and let them at it. loadlin would load
the kernel, start in initloop-root mode, look for the CD, prompting the user
if necessary, and off they go. They have all the packages installed, they
have /var and /home space to maintain their personal config, and they can
de-install at any time using the normal Windoze methods.
Yes, this puts Linux at the mercy of M$, as users will think it's a nifty app
and not a replacement, but this is where the utter coolness of SEUL and lots
of marketing/propaganda (hate that word) and user education: "SEUL is a
*replacement* for Windoze 95 that's so carefully crafted you can try it out
RISK-FREE without disturbing your existing system!"
This brings up yet another interesting point (new acronym: YAIP). If we're
going to lean towards this "trial" thing, our installation system and manuals
must be set up to deal with this, which will take a lot of planning. I would
hate to see 4 different CD's of SEUL built with different options:
really-dumb-user trial, clueful-user trial, really-dumb-user Standard Edition,
and clueful-user Standard Edition. *ONE* distrib should be able to figure out
and/or ask what kindof install is requested, allow the user to change from
trial to full install, from clueless-mode to clueful-mode, even graduate to
maintaining the system without any help from SEUL's tools.
TTYAL,
Omega
Erik Walthinsen - Programmer, webmaster, 3D artist, etc. __
__ / /\
/ \ omega@sequent.com Work: (503)578-5314 / / \
| | M E G A omega@aracnet.com Home: (503)281-4281 / / /\ \
_\ /_ psu12113@odin.cc.pdx.edu Majoring in CS / / /\ \ \
/ /_/__\ \ \
Omega Station: http://www.aracnet.com/~omega/ /________\ \ \
Info on Linux, Graphics, Descent, Laptops, etc. \___________\/
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