Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 12:52:46 -0600 (CST) From: FreeBSD Filter <freebsd@KIWI-Computer.com> To: Nate Williams <nate@yogotech.com> Cc: freebsd-arch@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Removal of Disklabel (was: Re: Dangerously Dedicated) Message-ID: <200011201852.MAA49580@KIWI-Computer.com> In-Reply-To: <14873.28040.451463.172207@nomad.yogotech.com> from Nate Williams at "Nov 20, 2000 11:29:28 am"
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cc'd to freebsd-arch instead of stable: > > > That's not good enough. The PC architecture limits us to 4-total > > > partitions, which isn't good enough. It's not even good enough for M$, > > > so they invented 'extended partitions, which is a M$-only feature. > > > > Just because microsnot invented it doesn't mean they're the only ones using > > it. Linux does, and I'm sure others do too. > > Linux is the *only* OS that I'm aware that follows M$ lead. I think > it's that way because initially most of the Linux developers were M$ > users, whereas most of the BSD developers were unix users who wanted to > run a real OS on their PC. Totally different perspectives. true. But we're not talking about OS issues, we're talking about remaining compatible with other operating systems, and sadly this includes microcrap products as well as linux and the like. And if BIOSes keep going the way they're going, we'll be forced to use the extended partitions or whatnot anyway (if we go over 4). > (I for one would be *very* annoyed to see FreeBSD change it's disk > format to be more M$-like, since it would be a gratiutious that would > cause endless grief for existing installations, and it's bowing even > more to M$.) 1). the BIOSes are bowing to m$ anyways... 2). existing installations would not be affected, only new installations would "renumber" the slices-- we would have to provide functionality in dealing with the current labels as well as the "true slices" including extended. The transition would be painless. 3). New installations would use the new numbering scheme and would use true "DOS partitions" (BSD slices), thus remaining completely compatible with other operating systems. 4). one could use fips or whatnot to move BSD slices around just like regular DOS partitions. This would gain us extra points in the eyes of many users. Note I'm not suggesting removing functionality, but making the installer (and thus the disklabel/slices) default to using true DOS-style partitions, much like linux does (I struggle to even suggest that). I personally wouldn't want FreeBSD to change its disk format again, but I think it's an eventuality and I'm willing to live with it. If we must, we should remain compatible with DOS. (now I need to take a shower to cleanse myself of that last statement!) Like I first stated, I'd be willing to help code the changes and test them, but first we need to reach an agreement on what to do, and to hear a little from the core team. --Rick C. Petty, aka Snoopy rick@kiwi-computer.com To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-arch" in the body of the message
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