no boot from root in Wolvix 2.0

[venkmann]

Sad but true, Wolvix 2.0 either has a programming bug or a developmental oversight as there appears to be no way you can install Grub to the root partition. The choices are to 1) overwrite your MBR or 2) you don't get to install Wolvix at all. This leaves newcomers with a choice they should never have to make - and as most are probably like me, they will stop the installation right then and there. Who wants to risk their MBR with sturdy old XP just to install a distribution that may not prove satisfactory after a few months? Draconian choice or bug, it's hard to tell as no one at Wolvix answers e-mails about this. I think all newcomers thinking of installing Wolvix should be aware of this barrier/bug.
As an aside, most newcomers to Linux these days, are more often than not, relying on safe 3rd party bootloaders like OSL, GAG and BCD as they do not require significant command-line Grub knowledge and make installation of a number of Linux distributions very simple as they only require that Grub is installed to root.

[Paul Tagliamonte (paultag)]

I appreciate this comment, and the time you have taken to report this bug. Wolvix, as you know is in development. It *is* a beta.

However, your tone makes it hard to tell what is a productive comment, and what is a bug report. For the future, please take the time to explain the issue without taking unfounded shots from an ivory tower of arrogance.

Ignorance is showing as well. All the major Distros use either GRUB or LiLO. OSL GAG and BCD are not in the majority. ( By any means ). In fact, I daresay most Linux users have no idea there is a bootloader other then GRUB.

Also, most new users would not know what an MBR is, so it's not that they would stop -- they would continue and trash their previous boot loader.

Also, I am more then happy to return emails. You just need the right addresses.

I am closing this bug as invalid. Please refile this bug in a more constructive and helpful tone, and target exactly what is in error without using this as your own personal soapbox. This is a bug, but it needs to be a bug report, not an OpEd on your reasons Wolvix is not your distro of choice.

Thank you for working to make Wolvix a better distribution. Have a great day.

[venkmann (venkmann)]

Paul Tagliamonte wrote:
> I appreciate this comment, and the time you have taken to report this
> bug. Wolvix, as you know is in development. It *is* a beta.
>
> However, your tone makes it hard to tell what is a productive comment,
> and what is a bug report. For the future, please take the time to
> explain the issue without taking unfounded shots from an ivory tower of
> arrogance.
>
> Ignorance is showing as well. All the major Distros use either GRUB or
> LiLO. OSL GAG and BCD are not in the majority. ( By any means ). In
> fact, I daresay most Linux users have no idea there is a bootloader
> other then GRUB.
>
> Also, most new users would not know what an MBR is, so it's not that
> they would stop -- they would continue and trash their previous boot
> loader.
>
> Also, I am more then happy to return emails. You just need the right
> addresses.
>
> I am closing this bug as invalid. Please refile this bug in a more
> constructive and helpful tone, and target exactly what is in error
> without using this as your own personal soapbox. This is a bug, but it
> needs to be a bug report, not an OpEd on your reasons Wolvix is not your
> distro of choice.
>
> Thank you for working to make Wolvix a better distribution. Have a great
> day.
>
>
> ** Changed in: wolvix
> Status: New => Invalid
>
>
Wow.... talk about arrogance, ivory towers and soapboxes. Go stand in
front of the mirror and read your comments aloud to yourself (once your
self-righteousness has settled) and I'm willing to wager that your
cheeks will burn with shame - even if you won't admit it! Take a tip
from a 74 year old man who has, and never had, any intention of of doing
the things you attack him of. The next time you think you are suffering
from the blows of someone, take a few deep breaths and distance yourself
from the ego you display in your writings, before you go lancing at
someone who has tried to make judicious comments. What's next...beat the
dog? Just because the comments don't stroke you - whoever you are -
with sycophantic praise, they are still well short of the personal
attack you see them as. In examining your response that may be the very
reason for your poorly-cloaked snarls.

As past-president of a 250+ person Linux users group, one of the largest
in any North American city, your comments are saddening. I am sure the
15 members who went to the trouble of downing and burning Wolvix ISO's
and testing your OS over the last two months for the club (and brought
this issue to the groups attention) shall also find it sad. I just hope
they don't find it pathetic as well. So much for the vaunted good humor,
helpfulness and bonhomie that Linux communities always brag about...

You have a very poor opinion of the intelligence of newcomers to Linux
from the Windows and Mac world and I am glad I do not share your views.
I can assure you the greater majority here know all about the MBR,
Partition Magic, GParted, Clonezilla, Logical Volumes and Installing to
Root because they are well-read, technically inquisitive Canadians -
many who are beta tester for Windows 7 and several Linux distributions -
and quite a few have attended courses on...

[Paul Tagliamonte (paultag)]

Again, this comment does not justify a bug report. Maintaining Invalid status.

[oithona (oithona)]

Quote:
it's hard to tell as no one at Wolvix answers e-mails about this.

Dr Venkmann

In all fairness, you e-mailed me on this topic on the same day as you posted this report, and I replied by email the same day. The above comment does not seem to be justified. I have replied to your subsequent e-mail, received today.

As this is clearly not a bug, but a feature you feel should be included in the installer, it seems to me, as I suggested in my first e-mail, that the Wolvix forum would be a better place to discuss this issue (where you would find you are not alone in your contention that the option to install GRUB in the root partition should be offered. :)

[venkmann (venkmann)]

oithona wrote:
> Quote:
> it's hard to tell as no one at Wolvix answers e-mails about this.
>
> Dr Venkmann
>
> In all fairness, you e-mailed me on this topic on the same day as you
> posted this report, and I replied by email the same day. The above
> comment does not seem to be justified. I have replied to your subsequent
> e-mail, received today.
>
> As this is clearly not a bug, but a feature you feel should be included
> in the installer, it seems to me, as I suggested in my first e-mail,
> that the Wolvix forum would be a better place to discuss this issue
> (where you would find you are not alone in your contention that the
> option to install GRUB in the root partition should be offered. :)
>
>
Hello again,
I am not referring to you in the e-mail mentioned. You were never
contacted by anyone but me and you have been most courteous. It would
plague me
to think you were referred to this in a mean spirit .This report was
referring to a number of e-mails sent to several other addresses - one
in particular I believe
and can find out for you if you wish - by not only myself but about a
dozen members of a local Linux club that tested Wolvix during the last
few months (after I had done so and spoke mostly well of it).
The others wrote well of Wolvix - excepting this and a few other areas -
but I don`t have their letters. However I have passed your e-mail along
to the club and they can
contact you as I have asked and speak for themselves.

Sincerely and without prejudice,
Dr. P. Venkmann
Canada

I also will be no longer at this e-mail address as I have moved ISPs. In
the future I can be contacted at:
dr.venkmann at gmail.com
dr.venkmann at yahoo.com
dr.venkmann at hotmail.com