GoboLinux and Replacing the FHS
Linked by Thom Holwerda on Mon 18th Aug 2008 23:33 UTC, submitted by Charles Wilson
Editorial GoboLinux is a distribution which sports a different file system structure than 'ordinary' Linux distributions. In order to remain compatible with the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard, symbolic links are used to map the GoboLinux tree to standard UNIX directories. A post in the GoboLinux forums suggested that it might be better to turn the concept around: retain the FHS, and then use symbolic links to map the GoboLinux tree on top of it. This sparked some interesting discussion. Read on for more details.
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RE: too much fuss
by tupp on Tue 19th Aug 2008 07:00 UTC in reply to "too much fuss"
tupp
Member since:
2006-11-12

My problem is that generally those are who complain the most about linux directories, naming and location, who actually don't use their system for anything useful, and have large amounts of time on their hands, and with nothing better to do, start complaining about issues many of us never cared about. When I have my Linux set up and my apps installed, messing around among the directories outside my home is so rare I couldn't even give you a number on that. And I'm pretty confident in that I use my Linux more time and for more things than most complainers.


No complaints here, and I use my Linux system for useful things (as I have for over 6 years). But a more sensible directory structure would welcome.


As regarding Gobo, I tried it, more than once.


Me, too.


First, dropping a load of links on top of a Linux directory structure is stupid, and it feels wrong, very wrong.


They're not adding the links because they think the links are great -- they're doing it to allow for huge programs (such as Open Office), which would be impossible for them to hard-code to the Gobo directory configuration. If the huge programs were hard-coded for the Gobo directory structure, then the links would not be needed.


Second, loooong names of those links and using capitals, come on, what's that all about ?


The names are long and capitalized to avoid confusion with the conventional Linux directories, and Zsh handles these longer names and the capitalization with the same or less keystrokes as used in a typical Linux distro with a typical shell.

Please read the thorough explanation, "I am not clueless": http://www.gobolinux.org/?page=doc/articles/clueless


Never should you put the wish to be like somebody else before practicality. Use whatever names you like in your home, but leave the system directory structure alone.


Again, please refer to "I am not clueless" above.


One more thing, some also stated above, those who come to know the Linux directories enough are generally those, who know enough not to complain about such issues. They can live with it, I can live with it.


I live with it, too, and I don't complain about it, but I recognize that the pure Gobo way (no links) would be better.


Thing is, if properly done - not with a bunch of stupid links - I wouldn't mind if directory names would change. It just doesn't matter. Not a freaking bit. That's why this whole debate just leaves me wondering about what these people spend their time with.


Again, the links are necessary only to accomodate the huge programs hard-coded for the typical Linux directory configuration. The links are not desired by the Gobo crowd.

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