Re: linux 4.0

[Janina Sajka <janina afb org>]

 > As for partitioning the drive? That's really up to you.  Since dos/win95
 > need to share a partition, and since dos has trouble recognizing very
 > large partitions, probably the best bet is to make the dos/win95 partition
 > 1GB, and give linux the rest.
 >
This is an issue that deserves careful thought before implementation as 
changes in partition sizes after the fact are not so easily achieved. 
1Gb for Win 95 may or may not be enough. It depends on what apps you 
mean to run, and how many large files you mean to keep around even on a 
temporary basis. The Correl Perfect Office Suite 7 takes a whopping 150 
Mb for a complete install, , and .wav files can eat up space too. I say 
this because I used to think 1GB was a lot of HD, but I've changed my mind.

This also raises two questions that I'd like to hear about from the 
Linux veterans here. How much space does Linux need? And, is it 
possible or reasonable to keep a partition of files that might be 
accessed from either OS? I.E., can linux read FAT? Why would it want to 
-- well for text files kept as a reference, for example.

One more point .. as for the trouble with Win95 and large partitions -- 
the problem is the 32K cluster size -- a severe penalty for someone 
with many small files.Folks should be aware that MS has released, and 
OEMs are now shipping, a new FAT32 which supports 2K cluster sizes on 
partitions up to 8Gb. This is only available OEM -- and even then, it 
requires the happy new owner to repartition and reinstall with the new, 
smaller cluster size. Upgrade kits are slated for late in the year.
 
				Janina Sajka, Director
				Information Systems Department
				American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
 
janina afb org