Installing Programs To Flash Cards

[daniel3000]

Hello,

what exactly happens if I install a program via the package manager to SD or CF card?
Are ALL involved files written to the card (also the .desktop files and setting files etc.)?
I ask because if that's the case it would allow to install programs to a card and use that card in various Zauri, always having the installed programs at hand.

This would also allow me to switch from a C3000 to a C1000.
Right now, I think I cannot do so, because I have my C3000's hdd2 filled with about 250MB of program data, which wouldn't fit the 1000's flash memory. So on a 1000, I had to install programs to flash card.

I'd prefer a 1000 due to its simplicity of backing up and because there is enough room for wireless stuff :-)

daniel

[lardman]

what exactly happens if I install a program via the package manager to SD or CF card?
Are ALL involved files written to the card (also the .desktop files and setting files etc.)?

With OpenZaurus at least, yes this is the case. Though some settings files, such as those created by the program itself will doubtless be written to the home directory which isn't on the card.

With some knowledge of the locations of these files, and some symlinking magic (and hacking the files that list the package contents once installed to include the ones in ~/) you could get the whole lot portable.


Si

[Antikx]

Here is my tidbit of knowledge.
I just reflashed my C1000 with pdaXrom and apps I had installed to my card showed up in the matchbox menu with me having to do nothing.
I was pleasantly surprised! I'm not 100% sure about Cacko though but I would think you would experience the same delight. I would say give it a try with a small program with no dependancies.
Regarding the config files being in the home dir. I think most apps recreate them if they can't find them. You could also try symlinking them to your card. Perhaps being so smart as to change the application icon to point to a script that would check for these files in you home dir and copy them over if they don't exist and then run the binary. Maybe I'm getting carried away though....