Date: Thu, 20 Mar 1997 07:12:46 -0500 (EST)
From: "Mike A. Harris" <mharris AT blackwidow DOT saultc DOT on DOT ca>
Reply-To: "Mike A. Harris" <mharris AT blackwidow DOT saultc DOT on DOT ca>
To: yeep <yeep AT xs4all DOT nl>
cc: OpenDOS Mailing List <opendos AT mail DOT tacoma DOT net>
Subject: Re: [opendos] FSSTND
In-Reply-To: <199703150101.CAA04384@magigimmix.xs4all.nl>
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.95.970320070753.12128G-100000@capslock.com>
Organization: Total disorganization.
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Thu, 13 Mar 1997, yeep wrote:

> > While I agree with the idea of a standard, I abhor hardcoded directory
> > names.  I've already got my own directory structure and I hate programs
> > that won't respect that.  
> > 
> > In lieu of hardcoded directories, I'd suggest a file whose contents look
> > something like this: 
> > 
> > utility=c:\util
> > app=c:\dosapps;d:\dosapps
> > game=c:\games
> > library=d:\opendos\lib
> > temp=c:\temp
> > etc...
> > 
> > Different users would enter their own directories instead of mine.
> > 
> > Then an installer wanting to install off of an app directory would read
> > this file, and ask if it should install into c:\dosapps, d:\dosapps or
> > another directory.  A simple "type paths.dir" would show you were
> > everything is.
> > 
> > This way, we keep our directories and enforce a standard.
> 
> I must say, that's a pretty damn good idea!!!
> Now why didn't I come up with that? :-)
> It's like the DJGPP.ENV file, smart!!

But if this is the method that is settled upon, a STANDARD list
of directory paths should be chosen.  I also vote that NO
PROGRAMS IN ANY WAY put there sh*t into a system directory such
as DOS or OPENDOS or NWCLIENT or any other important dir like
that.  This is a REAL BIG pain in the *SS with Windows 3.1 and I
suspect all other offspring.

So basically if there is going to be a OPENDOS.STD file, it
should come installed with certain defaults.  If you want to
change them then you have to edit the file.  Sounds reasonable to
me.  Personally I'd prefer a "worded standard", but this seems a
comfortable comprimise.  I'm going to wait and see what everyone
else thinks first.  Whatever seems to be the most popular I will
add to the wishlist.  Otherwise I'll add them all as
possibilities to the wishlist.


Mike A. Harris        |             http://blackwidow.saultc.on.ca/~mharris
Computer Consultant   |                  Coming soon: dynamic-IP-freedom...
My dynamic address: http://blackwidow.saultc.on.ca/~mharris/ip-address.html
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