[SLL] Try with Multi-Ubuntu Install quashes first Ubuntu Boot.

[Lee Colleton]

Hi Xeno,

This is why installing packages is better than maintaining umpteen linux
installs side by side.  Just think of all the updates you'll have to
download over and over for each system!  You should reconsider having one
system with multiple demonstration user accounts configured for Edubuntu,
Kubuntu, et cetera.  Just add additional repositories for each of these
specialized apps, I guarantee it will be easier for you.  Many of these
packages are identical and installing them side by side is a waste of space
and effort.  If you want to test compatibility, use a virtualization system
like VMware.

If you insist on the approach of multiple distributions on the same laptop
instead of installing extra packages, I'd highly recommend installing each
system into a separate partition without specifying a /home partition.
Leave room for it and then create it last, after installing each
distribution.  When you're done with that, format a /home partition and add
it to /etc/fstab in each distro.  Then add a user account with the same UID
& GID (user id and group id) with their home in that directory.  If the UID
is different, you won't have access under some systems!  Remember, you can
boot one system and make the changes to the others by mounting the
filesystems (e.g.)
sudo mount /dev/sda2 /mnt
sudo umoutn /dev/sda2
sudo mount /dev/sda3 /mnt
et cetera

Regards,
Lee Colleton

On 10/29/07, Xeno Campanoli <xcampanoli at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Rob Smith wrote:
> > On 10/29/07, Xeno Campanoli <xcampanoli at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> I wonder if anyone has suggestions.  It appears part of my solution
> may,
> >> for now, need to be to keep separate home directories, which kindof
> >> stinks.
> >
> > You could always just install the packages rather then a full 'distro'.
> >
> > ~Rob
> >
>
> A reasonable point to repeat, but I guess I'm trying to not just push
> the envelope but get it glued better so I can do more with it.
>
> There are reasons to use the distribution installs:
>
> > 1.    I want different people to be able to use my laptop with different
> > distributions on it.  I'd like friend's children at Soup Sundays at
> > Marilyn's to be able to use Edubuntu.  I'd like, sometimes, to use
> > Kubuntu myself even though most of the time I suspect I'll want to use
> > Ubuntu.  Also, I would like friends to be able to use Guadalinex,  and I
> > want to be able to show muslim friends UbuntuME.  I want to be able to
> > have an nUbuntu, an Xubuntu, and an Ubuntu Studio lying around for
> > reference.
> >
> > I suspect the First three, for most people, are the most likely reasons
> > here.  Most in the family will want the comfort and simplicity of
> > Ubuntu.  Gamers and others into video and cool tools may prefer Kubuntu.
> >  Students and school age children may want Edubuntu.
> >
> > 2.    I want to be able to help Ubuntu test all these distributions
> using
> > one laptop.  It would be really nice if I could immediately say in a bug
> > report if something works on one, but not on another.
> Furthermore, it is probably very much in Ubuntu's interest to make
> multiple distro-boots work for this very reason.  If you can make it
> easier to test, it will get better tested.
>
> >
> > 3.    I want to be able to use test products from my job on these
> different distros.
> >
> > 4.    Others may want to have different customized environments for
> doing
> > very specific tasks.  For instance Studio for a job, Edubuntu for
> > school, and Kubuntu for Friday night with friends.
>
>
>
>
> --
> The only sustainable organizing methods focus not on scale,
> but on good design of the functional unit,
> not on winning battles, but on preservation.
>