1. Maybe it doesn't have to be done in JavaScript; even partially, like part of the installer is running fdisk. It would be very easy to write a C program to parse and edit fstab to make all the partitions softdep. I wouldn't know how to automate a disklabel call in the way that https://www.vultr.com/docs/setup-openbsd-5-6-with-full-disk-encryption performs it. I'm sure im beating a dead horse trying to mention JavaScript, i only mention it because i suspect it would be the smallest footprint for a gui on install media, which can be easily be powered by software that used to be part of the base(lynx). Just because there may be a GUI, doesn't mean that it couldn't or wouldn't be written to a file to be parsed by another program to enable autoinstall capabilities more easily. I have no clue as to why softdep isn't default, but it shouldn't have to be a tough-love learning experience making your system and files go down in flames that would likely scare away a typical user. It happened to me when my home folder became unrecoverable! It can remain the default, but a normal user shouldn't have to wade through man pages to discover how to fix the problem, when it can merely be an install option.
-Luke On Sun, Dec 20, 2015 at 3:33 PM, <li...@wrant.com> wrote: > On Sun, 20 Dec 2015 14:03:18 -0600 Luke Small <lukensm...@gmail.com> > wrote: > > > I don't know the best way, but I like how there are "check-boxes", from > > what I recall, in lynx webpages. > > And? Bookmarks or... direct private cumulus clouds of edible sugar, > preferably in cyanide algae nuances with self attaching axons. > > > Maybe full-disk encryption and maybe home > > folder encryption if it is available are the only remaining installer > > It's called a directory, which is a file, and not a drawer, and not a > folder, neither a closet, nor a wardrobe nor even a chest. > > > options that you don't have to have prior specialized knowledge to > perform, > > that you can't do after you boot into the system. > > I'm sorry to break up the bubble for you but prior knowledge is a > prerequisite and this is not exclusive to OpenBSD. Anything you can do > in the installer can also be done after installation, except probably > finding a list of nice check boxes in a JavaScript web page. For that > you need to use www. > > > If there are other > > things, then it may become a little less tedious for less experienced > folks > > to look at all the options at once, rather than having to start over. > > Many inexperienced folds tried OpenBSD first and did not have to become > experienced in other complicated installers. Can you elaborate on > this? You want a long check list, is that it? > > > If > > there are any irreconcilable differences in options, JavaScript can more > > easily display that the other changes are incompatible by changing the > > other options back. > > The editor said: scratch this part, messy wording. > > > But maybe the OpenBSD way is about no surprises, but it > > doesn't seem right to only be able to boot into the system in the way you > > want, > > It is a cargo "principle of least astonishment" to be found in another > set of online docs elsewhere, unrelated perhaps, no? > > > if you have the mindset of a Computer Scientist like us, and read the > > right configuration webpages. > > Correction, man pages. They are in English, comprehensive to lower > intermediate level readers. > > > Things like not having softdep mounted file > > systems by default really tripped me up for a couple versions. > > There is a clear section on this in the Frequently Asked Questions. It > is a very nice idea to read these prior or during installation on the > other computer, or why not print out sections you best liked or thought > useful for the upcoming installation process. > > > I have > > virtualbox HDs and I had to keep backups in case Windows did something > > funny, because I sometimes couldn't repair the file systems. > > Can you point where the docs say "install in a virtualbox" or any other > virtual software brand for what it matters? > > > It seems like > > something that should be an option in the installer, or a default. It > would > > be nice to do that with noatime and maybe an optional mfs or tmpfs > mounted > > /tmp folder like I have now. > > So you're basically proposing to rewrite the installer in JavaScript to > add the noatime and softdep mount options, add full disk and home > directory encryption, use the SSL tool kit and also make it like a text > menu installer with a lot of check boxes and... web based interface, > and be able to install in a virtual machine with memory based file > systems? > > Why don't you just pick the install media of the operating system that > offers you these nice goodies, and save yourself the rewrite. Oh, and > then come back teach how to do it. > > If this seems too much to ask, just simply use the installer in OpenBSD > as it is, and after a couple of iterations, and some (minutes/years) of > enlightenment, you will start to appreciate the time and effort is has > saved you and the powerful options provided without constraints. > > What you're suggesting is more limiting than you thought originally. > I'm sorry to have wasted your time reading this, Luke.
