Date: Fri, 30 May 1997 13:28:14 -0400 (EDT)
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: Mark Habersack <grendel AT hoth DOT amu DOT edu DOT pl>
cc: John Fremlin <dfremlin AT facstaff DOT wisc DOT edu>, opendos AT delorie DOT com
Subject: Re: A few FS notions
In-Reply-To: <199705120719.JAA20861@grendel.sylaba.poznan.pl>
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.95.970530131831.3136e-100000@capslock.com>
Organization: Total disorganization.
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On Mon, 12 May 1997, Mark Habersack wrote:

> Once upon a time (on 10 May 97 at 0:22) John Fremlin said:
> 
> > >> a "small" Linux version takes 15 MB.
> > >Not true. Slackware 3.x has a *one floppy* version of Linux for you to try.
> > 
> > Where? Where? Gimme! Wonder of wonders! (Reading the Slackware FAQ
> > it appears that one disk is only useful for "maintenance and
> > installation", oh well).
> There's a slaktest/ subdir in the Slackware dist. Sure, it's not a 
> full-fledged systems with all the goodies, but you can get the feeling. Even 
> if you install all A* disks, you can fit in 10 megs. And using UMSDOS you 
> don't even have to create a new partition.

Yes, but it doesn't work properly.  The best thing to do is
install and pick HD install on UMSDOS, then install the "A" disk
set.  Then reboot and use LOADLIN to boot Linux, then make the
symlink to the live filesystem yourself.  That is what I just did
last night.

I had a slight problem which damaged part of my ext2 and couldn't
fix it without running fsck manually - which I didn't have
prepared because I've never needed to before.  I now have learned
a GREAT deal about ext2fs.  IT IS FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll expand on this in a mail to you...

 
> > > have to make it a modern operating system. And while maintaining a
> > >*certain* level of compatibility (the highest possible, of course) we have
> > >to sacrifice the features (or misfeatures) that are obstacles on our way.
> > 
> > Wonderful! I can't wait for a 32-bit DPMI (v1.0) OpenDOS version.
> > 
> > A modern OS? What are you talking about? DOS is IMHO hardly
> > material for a modern OS.
> Wrong. DOS *can* be made into a modern OS. It's just a matter of 
> implementation of the new, advanced features, while maintaining a "safe 
> compatibility" mode.

Exactly.  Currently it isn't modern, but that doesn't stop us
from bringing it 15 year into the future from where it is now
(which I peg at somewhere around 1987)...

> > I think OpenDOS should concentrate on a *customizable* OS - give
> > people the a choice of many shells, filesystems etc. with
> > networking capabilities.
> Isn't that a modern OS? Add memory protection and multitasking/threading and 
> there you go!

And shared libs and copy on write and demand loaded
executables, virtual consoles...  :o)  Real/32 has some of that
you know...


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