dual boot, a different problem

[Paul E Condon <pecondon@quiknet.com>]

I would like to configure my machine, which is currently running potato, so 
that I can easily install some other Linux distribution from time to time.

I'm very happy with Debian, but I'm curious about the competition. 
I suppose I would have a partitioning something like:
/boot // about 10MB at the beginning of disk
/     // about 2GB,  the root for Debian
/alt  // about 2GB,  the root for the other distribution
/hdx  // about 18GB, the rest of my 20GB disk, shared between the two dists
swap  // about 200MB at the end of disk


1- Has anyone done such a thing? What problems did you find?
   Does the above make sense?

2- My hardware is vintage 2000. I am aware of this issue of the first 1000 
   cylinders. How do I  determine if my hardware needs the special
   /boot partition? Do I need two boot partitions?

Thanks.

-- 
Paul E Condon 
pecondon@quiknet.com