On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:56:06 -0700, AJackson wrote:

> On Mar 19, 4:54 pm, ray <r...@zianet.com> wrote:
>> On Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:30:37 -0700, Todd wrote:
>> > I've decided it's time to jump into Linux with both feet.
>>
>> > I got a new computer, because I wanted a dual-core processor.
>>
>> > I installed XP on a new hard drive, then Vista in dual-boot
>> > configuration. What a piece of crap! Boom! Reinstall XP.
>>
>> > Now Linux. Now of my burnt cds worked in my dvdrom, and the one that
>> > started to install (it might have been Debian) fragged my Windows.
>> > Boom!
>> > Reinstall XP.
>>
>> If you burned them as iso disk images, there should have been no
>> problem. I've never seen a Linux install damage an installed MS setup
>> unless it was told to. I suspect you did not fully understand what you
>> told it to do - sometimes the directions are a little cryptic.
>>
>>
>>
>> > I can select which hard drive to boot from, so install PCLinuxOS on a
>> > second hard drive, with the Windows disk disconnected. I used the
>> > option to install three partitions. While I understand why I want a
>> > separate swap partiton, I'm still a little confused about these other
>> > ones. But I want all documents and downloads separate from the
>> > systems.
>> > But I don't know what /, /var, and /home are.
>>
>> Why? But if you want to, then you simply create another partition and
>> mount if for your downloads and documents. / is the ultimate top level
>> directory - with *nix everything on the computer is a file somewhere
>> within that hierarchy. /home is where the user accounts are normally
>> placed. /var usually has a bunch of system stuff (logs, etc.) in it.
>> Normally on a system I install for evaluation, I use a swap and / -
>> that's all; so the entire system is installed under /.
>
> You really want a separate /home partition, as it is where you have your
> personal data, like Todd wants. It's just no device letter in
> Unix/Linux. All partitions/disks are invinsible to the a normal user.
> When you change directory, you could change disk, or not. Anyway,
> separate /home partition is a good idé if you want to reinstall or
> install another linux distribution, you could have access to you
> personal data from all of them. Just tell them to mount the home disk
> at /home

I don't see that it's any particular advantage, though I certainly
understand that some folks prefer it. It is no major task to copy to
another installation on the same machine - frankly I don't want a new
distro playing around with my data.


>
> I usally have a /var partition as it will hinder log files etc to swamp
> out on system files etc. Debian want some size on it, as all packages
> that you want to install/upgrade are saved there. I usally have 3-6 G
> disk there, as it can get big trouble if you upgrade and doesn't have
> enough place for them...

Which is another point in favor of throwing the whole thing on one
partition - nothing fills up until all the space is gone - I've never had
that happen yet.

>
> So I usally use this on new installations: / 6G
> /var 2G
> /home rest, unless you want other distributions installed. (But for
> real, I use LVM and makes partitions on top of that. Still / only 6G,
> as it is hardest to change size on)
>
>> > Then install Debian, default multi-partition set-up. The gui won't
>> > load and I'm stuck at the command prompt.
>>
>> Did you install a GUI? It is possible to install Debian without one.
>
> Good question. It would also be good to know what hardware/computer
> make and model there is.
>
>> Except that there is a PCLOS Gnome edition and Kubuntu which is Ubuntu
>> with KDE replacing Gnome. It's sometimes better to install the
>> 'default' system and then add the other desktops you want.
>
> There is three first CD in Debian. Each selects a different "default"
> desktop system. Gnome, KDE and Xfce. And of course, you could
> change/add the other desktops later.
>
> Good luck.