An issue that is either sought, ignored, subdued, or neglected is realizing if there is partition access from one OS to another, especailly if it is something like access to Linux from Windows. This was attempted in limited fashion with such programs as 'explore2fs' and possible some others, but it only allowed read permission and was otherwise regarded as "volatile". It also doesn't quite work anymore when going on to newer versions of Windows, such as XP.

When searching for the premise of this issue the exclaim was raised: "Why is there any access from one OS to the other - it only causes volatility and violates security and privacy.

For those seeking a practical answer to this issue, however, it can be discovered that probably the only practical reason to access another OS is to retrieve information off the Desktop (such as a download), or as in Linux, the Home directory (such as /root).

A handy script could then copy the contents of the Desktop (or /$HOME) to a folder on your share partition (a partition that all operating systems have access to) in automatic fashion such as when rebooting. A script could appear as follows:

cp -r -u /root/Desktop /mnt/share
reboot

I call this script 'xboot'. When shutting down Linux, just substitute 'poweroff -h' for 'reboot' and call it something like 'xoff'.

This handy tip may put an end to a confusing implication of partition access among various operating systems, and offer a better solution than volatile Beta programs or trying to set up a service like SAMBA (too much of a jungle !)

If you want to give a good tip, elaborate about how to make an init script, exporting all homes (except secret keys, surely, and exclude mailboxes also) to fat partition. What you offer is suitable only in limited cases.

It's best to do the export at reboot, before it's too late. My $HOME stands for all home directories, whatever you work in. Details of the script I left up to you; I meant only to convey the idea here. Details will very, somewhat, depending on your Linux brand/version. (It's always the version).

1. Surely there are init scripts, linked from /etc/rc.d/rc6.d usually, that run on reboot.. Not to mention rc0.d and shutdown. And surely I always try to put every-reboot functionality there. So I don't have to run exactly xboot - I can use init 6 or even ctl-alt-bspace ctl-alt-del.
2. Looks like you are running under root most of the time on desktop machine and even don't hide it. Shame of you!
3. Sometimes there are more users. In this case you would better check you do not export something secret to a world-readable place.

In 1) it sounds like a good idea using the init scripts for reboot and shutdown as long as you can get by a file corrupt. Then you can still use 'reboot' command, if that's what you like.


I suppose the whole obstacle is overcome if you install Linux to an NTFS partition, but this may cause a headlong project. Some do this, however, but I'm not sure what their result has been. (They're too tired and not available for questioning).