> 
> 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.)
> 
I know that's the way linuxPPC works. Under MacOS, you just copy a file to a blank
floppy and then boot it from OF. What I don't know is the exact format of the file that's
copied onto the floppy.

Robert.