Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

NOTE: This topic has been transferred to "Getting Started and System Requirements" at the top of the forum.
Renamed as: What is a save file or folder?
You may still leave comments and suggestions here.

This is the fifth topic in the Helping new users series.

Thanks
wizard

********************************Draft2 Getting Started With Puppy Linux*************************
What is a save file or folder?
This is where Puppy Linux stores your documents, changes, new programs, etc.

If you are using one of the recommended remasters this same information will be in HELP START HERE.

This topic assumes you have booted with a CD, USB, or dual booted with MS Windows.

If you are a MS Windows user and new to Linux or if you have used another Linux distribution you will find Puppy Linux does some things that are different.

Here’s some useful examples. Everyone knows if you click the Menu button in the left of the taskbar you get the main menu. In Puppy, if you right click in any empty space on the desktop, you will also get the same menu.

By default, Puppy uses single click mouse action, kind of like web pages, single left click on a folder/directory to open it, single left click on a file to open it.

Read the document: Single-Click-Or-Double-click on how to change the mouse/trackpad action.

If Puppy was pre-installed for you, skip to: Here are some Linux=Windows terms to help you:

If you have booted and only want to install to an internal drive, USB, etc. you do not require a save file or folder at this point. Read MBR Install, UEFI Install or Install To Bootable USB (create bootable USB that will contain a save file) for how to proceed.

NOTE: If you have booted from a CD, your save file will have to be created on an internal drive or USB. If you have booted from a USB, some types are read only and will also require your save file to be created on an internal drive or USB.

First, Make A Save File or Save Folder (best choice)
Unlike Windows or large Linux distributions that install thousands of individual files on your drive, Puppy puts only a few compressed files that are like “Zip” files. in Windows. When Puppy boots up, the contents of these files are copied into ram memory and Puppy runs completely from ram. The original compressed files are “read only” so they always remain in like new condition. This goes a long way into making Puppy more stable, secure and bullet proof than other operating systems.

When you make changes, download files, add programs or create documents, etc. they are saved into another file/folder called the “save file” or “save folder”.
-Save Files can be used on any file system, fat32, ntfs, or Linux ext.
-Save Folders can only be used on Linux ext file systems.

So, the first thing to do is make one:
-click Menu>Exit>Reboot
During reboot you will be asked to create a save file or folder. If you are offered a Save Folder, choose it and follow the prompts.
DO NOT GIVE THE SAVE FOLDER A NAME

If you are not offered the Save Folder, make these choices:
type = normal
saving style = file
file system = ext3
size =512mb (you can change it later)
DO NOT GIVE THE SAVE FILE A NAME

What is a Swap file?
A swap file can be used if your computer has a low amount of ram memory. A swap file is not as fast as ram memory, but can allow your computer to run more demanding programs without crashing. Swap files are normally stored on an internal drive or USB harddrive

Swap files are not normally created on USB flash drives or Sdcards, since the increased reading and writing will shorten their useful life.

During your first shutdown, you may be ask if you want a swap file.
General Swap Guidlines:
If you have less than 2gb of ram, create a 1024mb swap file.

Here are some Linux=Windows terms to help you:
Directory=Folder
Link=Shortcut
Root user=Administrative user
Background=Wallpaper

When you run Puppy you are the Root user. If you’re a Linux user who has used “sudo” in terminal commands, Root user does not require sudo.

Drive Identification:
Let’s start by defining drive partitions. Most computers have one internal (also called fixed) physical hard drive or solid state drive. Partitioning is when you divide the physical drive into separate spaces. It’s like taking a box and putting dividers in it to make separate compartments.

Windows uses letters to identify drives and partitions, if you have one physical drive with only one partition it will be C:, two partitions, C: and D:. If you plug in a USB flash drive it will be assigned letters accordingly.

Linux identifies drives with letters and numbers, which gives the user more information about the actual drive. If you have one physical drive with only one partition it will be sda1, two partitions, sda1 and sda2. If you plug in a USB flash drive with one partition it will be sdb1.

Puppy displays icons for the drives and partitions it finds in the lower left of the desktop.

Here we have one hard drive with three partitions, sda1, sda2, and sda3, plus we have one USB flash drive with one partition sdb1.

If you click one of the icons it will open in the default file manager, named Rox. Opening a drive partition this way does two things, first it “mounts” the partition and second it shows the contents in the file manager. This brings us to the next topic.

Mounting/Unmounting drives:
When a drive is mounted the operating system sets up communications and creates a location in the file system that shows and accesses the contents. Windows and some other Linux’s automatically mount drives when they are attached. Puppy recognizes drives when they are attached (the icon will appear), but they are not mounted until you open them. USB drives must be unmounted before removing them (same as with Windows). Right clicking the drive icon will let you unmount it.

Need more help? Join the forum and post your questions in Beginners Help.

When you make changes, download files, add programs or create documents, etc. they are saved into another file/folder called the “save file” or “save folder”.

@wizard ,
Excellent tutorials

Just thinking if it would be appropriate to mention the save folder/file in relation to /mnt/home.
I.e., whether to store downloaded files and created documents (data) rather in /mnt/home (outside the save).
What do you think?

@Feek

You are right, it will be covered in a topic named "File Management"

Thanks
wizard

@rockedge

Hi Rock

This topic in Getting Started and System Requirements is missing the two images.

Thanks
wizard