Libranet

[Jonathan Hutchins, Rune Webmaster]

(Sorry if there was an earlier incomplete. Ah, Microsoft...)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Batson" <rcb at kc.rr.com>

> I've never used Debian or any other Linux Distro before. ...
> Right now I'm just looking at the various distributions. I was
> wondering if I could install the basic Linux OS onto the first
> partition and the remaining goodies (like mailer, editors, news
> readers) onto a second partition like I had for OS/2?

There's a whole recommended partitioning scheme for Linux.  It's possible to
install it to a single partition, but usually you'll want to add a swap
partition.  From there, most installations make the strange assumption that
you're building a server that will have multiple users (like SkyNet user
shells), and make the biggest allocation under the user home directories.
After that, some like to allocate a chunk of space to user installed
software, and/or software that wasn't part of the distribution.

If you follow the latter scheme, you have something like what you're looking
for - the original "system" installation is separate/protected from user
data and add-on software.  The line between the OS itself and the "remaining
goodies" is drawn differently by different people, but it's not particularly
unusual to put the OS Kernel in it's own partition.

Unless you have an unusual assortment of available partitions for some
reason, just pick a favored distro and go with their install
recommendations.  As you learn the system you will know if you want to
change, and you can do so later if you like.