on Sat, Nov 15, 2003 at 02:01:42PM -0800, Wm.G.McGrath (wgm@telus.net) wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Is there any way I can reset the directory/partition that apt uses
> to install software? I believe it currently install packages under
> /usr... and /var....
>
> The history of *nix is very diverse and reflected in the (needless?)
> complexity of its directory structure. /usr is very large and used
> for many purposes, and I'd like to move a little beyond it's current
> default - at least for my own system.
>
> I'd like to be able to set up a separate partition/directory to
> contain all the software that I install using apt for security,
> backup and upgrade purposes. The advantage of this would be similar
> to using a separate partition/directory for /home, /opt or
> /usr/local.
>
> Thus, for example, I'll be able to upgrade my base system without
> affecting my packages and upgrade them later, one at a time, at
> my leisure if I wish. (Yes I know there are other ways of doing
> this.)
>
> A separate partition could also provide advantages for backup and
> security, but what I'm really interested in is in keeping things
> well organized and neat. I'd like to create a partition something
> like /apt with subdirectories like /apt/bin, /apt/opt,
> /apt/usr/local, etc. It might even be nice to put each app/utiltity
> in its own directory? :)
>
> Anyway, does anyone have any thoughts on this? Does apt rely on any
> environment variables for example?
You're bonkers. And I mean that in the nicest possible way.
As others have stated: DEBs are not relocatable. For good reason.
If you want to maintain a separate install root, look at a chroot
install or jail. Or a "system2" installation with a base set of
security/recovery utilities (I've posted about same in recent past on
list, with a pointer to my own packages list).
Much of your objective could be attained via a reasonable partitioning
scheme. The existing Debian Policy specification of what files go where
already makes system backup and restoration trivial.
Peace.
--
Karsten M. Self <kmself@ix.netcom.com> http://kmself.home.netcom.com/
What Part of "Gestalt" don't you understand?
"Just another million years," said Marvin, "just another quick
million. Then I might try it backwards. Just for the variety, you
understand."
-- HHGTG
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