On Thu, 21 Sep 2000, Todd Vierling wrote:

> The Amiga had this at one point, too, and still has a from-AmigaOS loader
> (although it's now optional, as the Amiga bootblocks are more well
> documented).  The problem with a MacOS-hosted installer is that it's not
> possible to, say, boot the Booter from a 2MB partition and boot right into
> NetBSD's _cross-platform_ sysinst installer.
> 
> Sysinst was invented to unify all platforms (mac68k included) in their
> install methods.  As far as NetBSD's concerned, once a kernel is loaded, all
> other tasks should be up to itself, including such things as partitioning[!]
> and installing.  In fact, given a System 7.x boot disk, Mac partition
> support, and in-kernel hfs support, sysinst could conceivably create a small
> MacOS boot parition containing enabler[s], System, and Booter.
> 
> Now, having the Installer as an option is OK, but sysinst should work on
> mac68k for those of us who want a uniform installation tool.

I think we're in vehement agreement. :-)

Take care,

Bill