I need to share files between Debian and Slackware on the same hard drive
 

I installed a new hard drive and gave it four partitions. Two 50 gig partitions for Debian and Slackware 1 gig as a swap and the rest for storing my pictures, music and other stuff. I'm thinking it would not be wise to use this as a Home directory due to the differences between Slackware and Debian but still need a good way to share files. I could use NFS or Samba but that seems like over kill to me. Mounting the partition is easy enough but the problem I see is with permissions Debian sets my user at 1000 and Slackware sets it at 500. So if i download a file in Slackware Debian may not let me use it.

I'm not sure of the best way to share files between the two systems. I've googled searched this site and haven't come with any good ideas. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks

You could change your Debian user id to 500 or your Slackware to 1000. You could create a group in both Debian and Slackware with the same uid and gid and yourself to that group.

I thought about that just not sure how that would mess with the system.

I like this idea better but just not sure how to go about it. Then when you download a file will it take the same uid and gid as that group or the one I downloaded it with.

Disclamer: I have not setup two distros on the same hdd.
However, I read in the past that two distros can share the same home directory as long as you use a different user name for both.

One problem I see is that you have to make sure you do not try to run the binaries from the distro you are not currently booted from. You probably do not want to mount on boot the partition that the other distro is on.

If sharing the home directory does not work, you could always have another partition shared by both distros. For example you could possibly share a directory that has only jpeg files. You might have permission issues with the shared files. I

I dont care for idea of shared home directories could be to many conflicts. I think the idea of of a group with the same uid and gid may be the best way to go. I'll get back and let you know how that goes.

It's the same /home, what conflicts do you expect? I share the same /home amongst three systems (two CLFS and a Gentoo). Really not a huge issue; I don't recall ever having any problems with it.

You shouldn't see any issues with a shared storage partition. I've been using Linux for many years and have never run across such a conflict. Just set up your storage partition, make sure both mount it, and go from there. You shouldn't see any permission conflicts at all.

That just what I did. Did have a minor issue with with Slackware being 500 uid and 500 gid, changed 'em both to 1000. Mounted the partition in both distros then made soft links to the directories I needed works like a champ.

Someday I'll try using the same /home partition but first Slackware, need to learn the ways of the 'Darkstare'.


Thanks Guys!