Hey, I have used linux on and off for a few years now but still jump between distros.

I have just got my old toshiba laptop working (got lucky and got given another broken laptop for free and managed to merge them into one working laptop )

I am about to install mint 10 RC and fedora and just realised why on earth have I not created a seperate partition for /home?

I have done a quick google and I know it can be done but I thought id ask you guys if you had any tips or advice on sharing files between 2 or more distros?

I have found a how-to for this but if there is a specific tutorial that you would recommend?

are there any disadvantages or problems for doing?

Cheers

Chris


- Sorry if I have posted this in the wrong section.



EDIT: doing some more research into it and I have found that sharing the /home file is 'not adviced' unless using differant user names for each install... so I am now planning on making a /data partition instead.

I think I understand why some would advise against sharing a /home partition between OSes--they would share configuration files and such that may not be compatible between the two systems. So yes, you could use a /data or ~/Documents or something.

I think I would do it as follows: When installing the first distribution, make the data partition and set its mount point as usual. Next install the second distribution on its own partition(s), and for now ignore the data partition. Then, boot into the first distribution, open /etc/mtab, and copy the line that describes the data partition. Finally, boot into the other distribution, and add that line to /etc/mtab. Then either call `mount -a` or reboot to see the shared partition.

I believe filesystems store user and group attributes as numeric IDs, so you might see discrepancies in that regard between the OSes. You may have to set the mode of the entire partition to 777 as a result...

it is not recommended
BUT
if you use different user names
and MAKE SURE ( very important ) that they start the uid at the same spot .
some use 500 some use 1000
as a starting point

HOWEVER you might need to reset the second os to start at that +1
so for example the first normal user in mint -- guid 500
the first normal user in fedora guid 501


now sharing a data partition is no issue it is the home folder with all the gnome or KDE and OS settings that are incompatible

I dont understand why its not recommended? It works fine for me.

As said, configuration files of applications might not be compatible because of version differences.