Running Linux, 5th Edition - Matthias Kalle Dalheimer [37]
To create an ext3fs filesystem, use the command
mke2fs -j -c partition
where partition is the name of the partition. (Notice that the same command, mke2fs is used for creating both ext2 and ext3 filesystems; it's the -j that makes it a journalled, ext3, filesystem.) For example, to create a filesystem on /dev/hda2, use the command
# mke2fs -j -c /dev/hda2
If you're using multiple filesystems for Linux, you need to use the appropriate mke2fs command for each filesystem.
If you have encountered any problems at this point, see "Running into Trouble," later in this chapter.
Installing the Software
Finally, you are ready to install the software on your system. Every distribution has a different mechanism for doing this. Many distributions have a self-contained program that steps you through the installation . On other distributions, you have to mount your filesystems in a certain subdirectory (such as /mnt) and copy the software to them by hand. On CD-ROM distributions, you may be given the option to install a portion of the software on your hard drive and leave most of the software on the CD-ROM. This is often called a "live filesystem." Such a live filesystem is convenient for trying out Linux before you make a commitment to install everything on your disk.
Some distributions offer several different ways to install the software. For example, you may be able to install the software directly from a Windows partition on your hard drive instead of from floppies. Or you may be able to install over a TCP/IP network via FTP or NFS. See your distribution's documentation for details.
For example, the Slackware distribution requires you to do the following:
Create partitions with fdisk.
Optionally create swap space with mkswap and swapon (if you have 16 MB or less of RAM).
Run the setup program to install the software. setup leads you through a self-explanatory menu system.
The exact method used to install the Linux software differs greatly with each distribution.
You might be overwhelmed by the choice of software to install. Modern Linux distributions can easily contain a thousand or more packages spread over several CD-ROMs. There are basically three methods for selecting the software package:
Selection by task
This is the easiest means of selection for beginners. You don't have to think about whether you need a certain package. You just pick whether your Linux computer should act as a workstation, a development machine, or a network router, and the installation program will pick the appropriate packages for you. In all cases, you can then either refine the selection by hand or come back to the installation program later.
Selection of individual packages by series
With this selection mechanism, all the packages are grouped into series such as "Networking," "Development," or "Graphics." You can go through all the series and pick the individual packages there. This requires more decisions than if you choose selection by task, because you have to decide whether you need each package; however, you can skip an entire series when you are sure that you are not interested in the functions it offers.
Selection of individual packages sorted alphabetically
This method is useful only when you already know which packages you want to install; otherwise, you won't see the forest for the trees.
Choosing one selection method does not exclude the use of the others. Most distributions offer two or more of the aforementioned selection mechanisms.
It might still be difficult to decide which package to pick. Good distributions show a short description of each package on screen to make it easier for you to select the correct ones, but if you are still unsure, our advice is this: when in doubt, leave it out! You can always go back and add packages later.
Modern distributions have a very