On Thu, Sep 16, 1999 at 05:25:06PM +0100, Sergio Brandano wrote:
> NetBSD current (19990620) sums up to exactly 45851 Kb. Considering the
> difficulty with formatting, booting and then transfering the system,
> would'nt it be easier to distribute an image file of a bootable floppy?
> The installation at that stage would be really a snap:
>  1. download the image 
>  2. save it on floppy
>  3. boot from the floppy 
>    - you are on UNIX, easy!
>  4. format the HD partition, copy the system, reboot without floppy.
> 
>  easy, easy easy...
> 
>  Since all the trouble is how to get started, this would solve
>  quite well (and I can finally pass from Linux to BSD!).

That's a great idea, if there were any way for a (Mac OS-made) disk
image to have the faked Apple boot info that dd image we use now, but
there isn't (disk images inherently imply Apple disks... or, at
least, formats Macs can read - ufs isn't one of those, and ufs with
a hacked up Apple partition map at the front sure as hell isn't).

Anyway, the install does use a disk image. What did you think dd was
copying to the floppy?

:^>

(If I'm wrong about any of this, those of you who are more
knowledgeable than I, let me know.)

       ~ g r @ eclipsed.net