> worse it is, but it's always a matter of time, and I don't have that > time -not to update per se, which I have, but to face problems in case > critical updates don't go smooth. > > Any advice on this kind of situation? I would rather not buy a "backup > laptop". > > > However, unlike a dog, you can catch up after a long absence: > > Heh, I hope so! > > m.
I get around this by leaving a relatively small partition on the hard disk and install a minimal gentoo with rescue tools and essential applications. Every few months I update it by creating a chroot for it on the running system. I am a "serial upgrader" and have some quite ancient gentoo systems around - one can be traced back to 1.1B (I think, circa 1999) - all of which at times suffer severe breakage (remember gcc2.95, or the glibc upgrades anyone? - interesting times :) Along with a few other "strategies, it covers most things except hardware failure - I use gnome, but have fluxbox installed as a backup, kernels are upgraded manually, and the last couple are kept around "just in case" (i.e., avoid genkernel), as well as openoffice in which I do most work, I have abiword to type docs etc, when I have a really "critical" presentation coming up, I make sure an up to date pdf is around for backup - saved my bacon a couple of times now as you can grab it from backup (you do up to date backups dont you :) and display it on a borrowed doze laptop. Think what you need to keep operating for a reasonable time when it all goes sour, and you will be able to plan accordingly. BillK
