Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

How does it work?
Puppy runs completly in RAM, (just like pupmode=5), but with persistence.

On shutdown:
if you elect to "save the session", an appropriate subset of the files modified by this session are copied from RAM to a tar archive file in the defined save location.

On boot:
The contents of the tar archive file are restored to the filesystem in RAM.

When is it used?
On first shutdown, if the save location of a Puppy frugal install is a "fat32" partition, e.g. installed with "StickPup",
and the flag file AUTOSAVE is present in the save location,
and you elect to "save the session",
pupmode=66 is activated without any further user input.

Note:
Pupmode=66 will work with any filesystem as a save location, but in the current Woof-ce, it is only activated on "fat32".

Limitation:
While pupmode=66 is simple and effective for Puppy configuation changes, it has serious limitations.
The more extra software you install into the RAM fillesystem, e.g. using ".pet" files,
shutdown and boot will become slower and slower, as there are more files to copy.

So, while pupmode=66 is a convenient way to start using Puppy, it is not recommended for more serious use,
unless extra software is installed as ".sfs" files or as "portable apps".

@gyrog

when would one want to use 66 rather than 12 or 13?
what makes it better than 12 or 13 when used for for that reason ?
thanks

And, why only FAT32? exFAT has most of its limitations. If 66 is a way to work around the limitations of the former, maybe it should be allowed with the latter (or any file system that contains AUTOSAVE, and let the installer choose when to offer this option).

https://github.com/puppylinux-woof-CE/woof-CE/pull/4104

It's all about AUTOSAVE and first-shutdown.
It's the only save mechanism that can be easily setup automatically on any filesystem.

williwaw wrote: ↑Fri Nov 03, 2023 6:30 am

when would one want to use 66 rather than 12 or 13?

When you want Puppy to have persistence without any questions that might be confusing to a first-time user.

williwaw wrote: ↑Fri Nov 03, 2023 6:30 am

what makes it better than 12 or 13 when used for for that reason ?

It does not need any 'shutdownconfig' dialogs to work on non-linux filesystems, e.g. fat32.

Note: Currrent woof-ce Puppy does not provide any mechanism to activate pupmode=66,
except for the automatic one mentioned in my previous post.

dimkr wrote: ↑Fri Nov 03, 2023 11:40 am

And, why only FAT32? exFAT has most of its limitations. If 66 is a way to work around the limitations of the former, maybe it should be allowed with the latter (or any file system that contains AUTOSAVE, and let the installer choose when to offer this option).

https://github.com/puppylinux-woof-CE/woof-CE/pull/4104

Simply, because nobody has implemented that.

Note: AUTOSAVE is a flag file inserted into the install location by the FrugalPup installers.
'shutdownconfig' acts on it with pupmode=66 for fat32, and with a savefolder for Linux filesystems.

I've never been a fan of the 'shutdownconfig' dialogs, particularly for first-time users.

@dimkr,
Well, as of just now, you have implemented it for exfat.

gyrog wrote: ↑Fri Nov 03, 2023 11:55 am

When you want Puppy to have persistence without any questions that might be confusing to a first-time user.

Do you envision 66 would be the default pupmode without any questions or dialog or decisions at first shutdown?
If so, It would effectively replace 12 and 13 for the new user? and 12 and 13 would be relegated to a menu option to be explored as one uses puppy more extensively?

williwaw wrote: ↑Fri Nov 03, 2023 5:03 pm

Do you envision 66 would be the default pupmode without any questions or dialog or decisions at first shutdown?
If so, It would effectively replace 12 and 13 for the new user? and 12 and 13 would be relegated to a menu option to be explored as one uses puppy more extensively?

I can envision it.
Although I wouldn't use the term "relegated".
I floated such an idea in viewtopic.php?t=9477, but it did not generate much enthusiasm.

There would need to be some "soft" way of reminding users that there are better "save" mechanisms available,
maybe a "nag" in the top of the "Puppy Log Out" dialog.

@gyrog

Thanks for the detailed explanation in #1.

Is it possible to add a time/date string to the saved file?

Jasper wrote: ↑Sat Jan 20, 2024 8:04 am

Thanks for the detailed explanation in #1.

You are welcome.

Jasper wrote: ↑Sat Jan 20, 2024 8:04 am

Is it possible to add a time/date string to the saved file?

Yes.
It would require changes to 'savesesion-archive' and the 'init' script.
I'll put it on my toto list.