Changing the install location of applications
 

I have been unable to find anything that references my problem, but I find that strange. If there is thread that I have overlooked I would appreciate a link and will carry on my merry way. :)

I am looking for a way to change the install location of applications (via the app man) to another card, preferably the removable media. I find it hard to believe that this hasn't come up, so could someone perhaps point me in the correct direction. Is there something I can change with apt-get?

Thanks all.

Re: Changing the install location of applications
 

Re: Changing the install location of applications
 

Perhaps, I did not clearly state my question. I am running out of space on my device memory to install more applications. I wish to install the programs on either the internal memory or removable memory.

Upon skimming the article you referenced, it appears the only way for me to install more applications is to relocate the system files to the removable memory and boot from there. Is this correct? I can't merely change the location future programs?

Thank you for your help.

Re: Changing the install location of applications
 

You have it right.

OTOH, you may have more room for apps than you realize, in that they don't take up much room, so long as you've made sure you aren't occupying Device Memory space with other stuff, like documents, mp3's, movies, ... But if you need more room, you need to boot off the SD card.

Re: Changing the install location of applications
 

its the one negative thing about linux, the apps are not usually stored in a single dir (tho there are tools, and at least one distro, that works that way).

it would be kinda fun if someone could retool debian chroot to act as a expansion system for maemo tho...

Re: Changing the install location of applications
 

That makes sense. Hmm.. I'm rather disappointed, however.

GeraldKo: I'll take a look. I thought I was running out of space, but I still have some "stuff" there that came with the IT. It could just be a psychological thing; not wanting to fill the memory up when I have multiple Gigs of space on my removable. Is moving the system files to the RM worth it? Any idea how much space I'd be freeing?

Re: Changing the install location of applications
 

Listen to the General. You cannot move apps to the cards, because they a Windows File systems, so you cant run Linux programs on them. You have to convert and boot for a card in order to use all that extra space.

Re: Changing the install location of applications
 

Yes, if you want to get in deep, it's worth it. Look at my sig links; what we're talking about is cloning. Penguinbait has made it easy. It's not that you "free up space;" you create a partition that can be as large as you want.

Re: Changing the install location of applications
 

I didn't even consider the FS on the Card. Thanks for bring that to my attention. What is the FS of the device memory; if I clone the card will I still be able to access it in windows? I realize that I really shouldn't be taking the card out and putting it in an adapter, but I'll still be able to access it via the usb connection, no?

Edit: Actually, now that I think about it, if I'm partitioning the SD, then I can just make a data partition that's readable. This is feasible right?

I actually skimmed through them all when you first posted. I'll take a deeper look when I have a little more time to spend. When I originally saw the wiki, it said that booting from the removable memory was "for more space to install applications" and I assumed that it meant on the device memory. It all makes sense now.

Thanks guys.

Re: Changing the install location of applications
 

It's not that installing applications to the card isn't an option, it's just that it's a shitty option that's less stable, slower, and consumes more battery power than simply booting from SD.

There's no reason to be "disappointed" what you want to do is perfectly possible, it's just entirely undesirable. Booting from the flash card gives you more speedups, more stability, and offers you the option of falling back to boot from the internal NAND if something goes wrong.

Trust me here, booting from the card directly is the way to go.