>1) Partition the HD with some existing software. Apple does not follow the 

It should all be done from a floppy. That way scripts could be invoked which
would load everthing from over the net onto a sanitized system. It should
run a standard script which would do everything ( or as much as it should )
so that any non-technical user could install with their eyes closed.  This
should include all disk formatting, loading mini roots and booting.. etc.

This would also allow for consistent standard configurations for beta test
sites. 

-- Peter