I’m going to install 12.1 on a new computer and I have a few questions on some options:
Is btrfs a stable file system for a production environment? I’m interested in trying the snapshot capabilities but need the computer to be stable
How do I install gnome and kde side by side? Are there any issues with doing this? Or things I need to be careful of when using each one (knowing I’m going to go back and forth between them)?
Does a choice of btrfs change your recommended partioning?
Use ext4
Where I am using a desktop for production. I only use one, (kde) in 12.1
When running test environments I still install gnome and kde in different partitions
So lets say I start with a 500GB HD which I plan to run both kde and gnome
I’d set it like this
swap
root (kde)
root (gnome)
extended space
/home (kde)
/home (gnome)
On 2011-12-28 20:46, 6tr6tr wrote:
> 1. Is btrfs a stable file system for a production environment?
IMNSHO, no.
If you choose to use it, make sure you never crash or suffer a power down.
> 2. How do I install gnome and kde side by side?
Just install one and add the pattern for the other.
I have had both, and more, for more than 12 years without problems.
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 11.4 x86_64 “Celadon” at Telcontar)
Do you do this all at install (i.e. can openSUSE’s installer actually install both KDE/Gnome at the same time)?
Why do you put extended space between root and home?
How do I specify two “/” partitions and mark them for kde/gnome? Doesn’t the installer not allow two partitions with the same name?
Thanks again for all the help on this!
You can install kde and gnome at the same time but only in the same install partition. So maybe I confused you.
The reason I listed one of my partitioning examples is because I tend to keep installs pure to type; either kde or gnome
So in the partitioning example I listed
I would install kde in one of the root and one of the home
Then do another install of Gnome in the other root and home
I put the root partitions at the front of the HD so they don’t go out of the 128GB range for grub and it just makes sense.
You have to make extended space anyway, so the home partitions like that just make sense too
For once my friend, we differ. I used to do it like this years ago, but stopped doing so. KDE and GNOME can perfectly live together using the same /home. If you start a GNOME app when working on your “KDE /home” it’s going to create the “hidden stuff” anyway. I also got annoyed by being sure I bookmarked something in FF, forgetting it had it’s folders in 2 places. Not to speak of mails mixing up through the /homes.
My situation on the laptop, 120 GB SSD:
swap 2 GB
root (KDE + GNOME) - 20 GB
root (next openSUSE version) - 20 GB
extended
/home (KDE + GNOME) - 40 GB
/Extra (extra data, development, backup etc) ~35 GB
Say you run kde primarily
Try using virtual box and I bet nautilus takes over
Same with auto mount cd’s etc…
I think that’s a good idea too.
Ah, so at install would it look like:
swap (I have 4GB RAM, so should I make this 8GB?)
/ = root partition, ext4, where I tell it to put KDE
/ (is this what I name it? What do I name this partition at install?) = ext4 root for gnome, but at install it has nothing
? = extended space (what do I name this partition? How big should it be? - my HD is 500GB)
/home = KDE home, ext4
/home (what do I call this at install?) = Gnome home, ext4, but at install empty
Then after install, with everything running, I can install gnome into those partitions?
On 2011-12-29 22:46, caf4926 wrote:
>
> Say you run kde primarily
> Try using virtual box and I bet nautilus takes over
>
> Same with auto mount cd’s etc…
I have installed kde alongside gnome for many years. If it bothers you,
just use two different users.
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 11.4 x86_64 “Celadon” at Telcontar)
Just to clarify
I’m talking about two completely different installations, done at different times.
So it could be easier to say for sake of argument:
Use one / (the forward slash is the representation, actually the mount point for root) for openSUSE: KDE
Use another / for openSUSE or other distro if you like: Gnome
It’s basically a dual boot situaltion.
OR
And this might be better for you. Use the same partitioning layout and install openSUSE KDE or Gnome whichever you prefer. Leave the other partitions empty. You can use them when the next openSUSE release is out, to install to. Which will let you make a transition from one release to the next with a bit of a safety net. I actually use this same method on my main box.
There is no names involved in the partitions. / and /home are just mount points
Have a look at https://picasaweb.google.com/107564133608385811033/121_kde_LiveCD_Install
I have other install guides there too
500GB I would do
4GB swap
25 GB ext4 (primary will be for a /)
25 GB ext4 (primary will be for a /)
Extended uses all the remaining space, then inside that:
200~ GB ext4 (logical will be for a /home)
200~ GB ext4 (logical will be for a /home)
I put 200~ approx because what you will do is split the space equally, it’s just difficult for me to know exactly what the sizes will be. You don’t have to make them exactly that size, it’s just thereabouts.
Thanks I meant mount points but used the wrong word. My question though is, will it allow two mount points of the same name? How do I create two mount points of the same name? Or are you saying that at install I actually only give one of them the mount point “/” and leave the other empty until I install gnome?
Thanks, so then is the set of steps I take?
4GB Swap
25 GB ext4 (primary will be for a /) and 25 GB ext4 (primary will be for a /)
Extended uses all the remaining space
inside Extended: 200~ GB ext4 (logical will be for a /home) 200~ GB ext4 (logical will be for a /home)
Or are you saying that at install I actually only give one of them the mount point “/” and leave the other empty until I install gnome?
YES
You can use Parted Magic to create all the Partitions. The mount points are immaterial at this point.
You are correct with this:
4GB Swap
25 GB ext4 (primary will be for a /) and 25 GB ext4 (primary will be for a /)
Extended uses all the remaining space
inside Extended: 200~ GB ext4 (logical will be for a /home) 200~ GB ext4 (logical will be for a /home)
Only you don’t actually need to manage swap at install at all. The installer will find and use it automatically.
Thanks! I’m doing this right now.
One last question:
If for some reason I decide I hate Gnome in openSUSE and don’t want to put anything else in there, will I safely be able to use Parted Magic to combine that 25GB root partition into the Extended partition (as well as combine the gnome extra “/home” into the other /home)?
Well, yes. If you really need the space.
But as I said, I would keep it as it is and just leave it ready for the next release.
Another thing you might want to think about is. If you install kde, then gnome.
Gnome will be managing booting. All my installs like this of 12.1 have seen and added the other install, no problem. This is an improvement BTW.
But you may want to switch to the kde grub
I can tell you how, if that’s what you eventually decide.
The same with the partitions too.
I’m just trying to give you the best option for future installs
Lets say you run 12.1 kde for 12 months and decide you want to try the latest release. You can install the latest without harming your current install.
Thanks, but now I’m getting an error in Parted Magic!
http://forums.opensuse.org/english/get-technical-help-here/install-boot-login/470470-help-getting-error-parted-magic.html