DSL multiple version CD

Forum: DSL Ideas and Suggestions
Topic: DSL multiple version CD
started by: Frano

Posted by Frano on April 20 2004,22:25

Although it has proved to be a favorite with many, and certainly a success in its capacity, it still seems to be lacking an easy and user-friendly means of being upgraded. Also, burning 50 MB of DSL live CD on a 700 MB CD can prove to be a waste!

What about modifying each boot image to reflect the name of the current version, example: DSL-0.6.3.iso. And this in turn when burnt, creates a folder of a similar name with all relevant files. Then modify the mkfloppy.bat file to prompt the user for the desired version to create a resulting floppy boot image from. And a similar script which detects all images and prompts for the one to boot with (Like Microsoft Windows boot up menus). :cool:

In this way, upgrading is a simple "1-2-3" task.

Any suggestions on how to create these scripts? I'd appreciate it.

Posted by PhrozenFear on April 27 2004,16:09

I like that idea - having multiple versions on a single CD is smart - I've got DSL burnt onto some PocketCD's (they're only about 181 MB each), but it's still kind of a waste, especially since once you burn the ISO image, you can't burn anythin' else onto the CD - that is, I've never found out how. Because I'd also be interested in burning more on these pocketCD's, like either some music, or some relevant backup files (like Firefox or my programming module stuff).

So, any suggestions ?

Posted by ke4nt1 on April 27 2004,18:45

Haven't tried any multisession cdr's that are bootable..
I rewrite to cdr sessions all the time, but haven't played
with adding sessions to a bootable cdr.

and Nero 6 will allow you to burn to your "coasters", using
only the free space left as a new cdr.

73
ke4nt

Posted by PhrozenFear on April 30 2004,05:39

There's an interesting thing.... Should go and get Nero 6 offa Kazaa...

And can you burn an ISO into that dead "coaster"'s free space, and have it work ?

Posted by catfish on April 30 2004,16:05

Quote (PhrozenFear @ April 27 2004,12:09)

Here's a suggestion...
use cdrecord with the -multi option (i.e., multi-session) and mkisofs with the -C and -M options (for multi-session support). The process goes something like:
o First burn the downloaded DSL iso with "cdrecord dev=x,x,x speed=n -multi damnsmall-0.6.3.iso". (x,x,x is the correct device as returned by "cdrecord -scanbus".)
o create an iso of the additional files you want on the cd using mkisofs, say with something like "mkisofs -J -r -C y,z -M x,x,x -o out.iso <files>". The trick is to have the cd in the burner and run "cdrecord dev=x,x,x -msinfo" to get the values for y,z. You can even get fancy and put the cdrecord -msinfo command in back-ticks and have it run right in the mkisofs co usemmanin d.
o use cdrecord to add the session (i.e., out.iso) to the cd. Use -multi option again if you want even more sessions later.

Another tip: use mkisofs option -graft-points to "relocate" files and directories in the iso

good luck,

Posted by Frano on April 30 2004,18:54

Quote (Frano @ April 20 2004,18:25)

In this way, upgrading is a simple "1-2-3" task.

Any suggestions on how to create these scripts? I'd appreciate it.

Hey John, since you've changed the ISO and directory names from KNOPPIX to DSL, do you think you could go a step further and pull this off? I'd really appreciate it, and I think all the others too! :;):

P.S. I currently have version 0.6.1... i'm waiting on 0.7.1 to download again!

Posted by dslfool on May 02 2004,06:46

Even though I use dialup for Internet access I still tend to download each new release. One of the MANY things I love about DSL is the fact that the ISOs are < 50MB, so I can download them even with dialup. It does take 2.5 to 3 hours, but I just start a download before I turn in for the night and let the download happen while I'm sleeping. My dialup software terminates the connection 15 minutes after the download's done and the computer goes to sleep shortly after that, so the next morning I just wake up the computer, burn a CD and off I go with the new DSL. ('Course, I am lucky enough to have ~50k dialup connections and free local calling to my ISP.)

When I've tried this with larger downloads (> 100MB) I've had much less sucess, so I'm hoping that in addition to any new multi-version developments that are introduced, new DSL ISOs in the 50MB range will still be available.

Posted by Frano on May 04 2004,18:43

That's a key point. Wouldn't it be nice also to have a feature which is able to check for new DSL versions and prompt users to download and install it? Hey... I know we don't want to be the next Microsoft, but then it increases convenience that much.

Posted by PhrozenFear on May 12 2004,06:24

I actually was just looking at what Catfish said, and that makes a shitload of sense... But there's one small problem I see - if you make it so that you can burn more than one, you won't be able to, because of the fact that the main filesystem is in /KNOPPIX, which is the same name for every version. The only way around this is to have it as /KNOPPIX-063 or something like that, and still have the filesystem work, then it could possibly work. But with them using the same root name, that won't happen on the same CD.

Posted by stan on May 13 2004,02:35

I saw an option in ISO MAGIC program about making multi boot CD's???
I havent tried it yet though as I only have the trial version of the program and its got some limitations
anyoneelse seen this program?