4 replies to this topic

[hymerx]

Pls. change to a filesystem that supports large files, preferably a free one.

[elegantinvention]

This is a low priority for 2 reasons:

1. Large ISO files can be split easily, and are split automatically by ISO Manager

2. FAT32 is the only "universal" filesystem supported everywhere

 

Some filesystems I have looked at:

- NTFS is complex and I have yet to find good documentation, although it at least seems relatively well-supported on *nix platforms.

- exFAT is patent-encumbered and I am seeing what can be done regarding implementing it, but as far as I know *nix support is spotty.

- ExtFS support could be added in the future, but I imagine that is only useful for people with all-Linux workflows.

 

If you have any suggestions other than the above, I will gladly investigate them when I am able.

Either way there are other priorities ahead of this, since core functionality is not limited by the filesystem choice.

[Wonko the Sane]

Well, to be fair, it is not like FAT32 may have not licensing issues, at least when implemented on hardware/storage media.

 

JFYI:

http://www.microsoft...FileSystem.aspx

http://msdn.microsof...e/gg463080.aspx

 

Though some doubts have been raised about the validity of the patent(s):

http://www.wired.com...2/03/ms-patent/

 

The reknown Tom-Tom litigation:

http://en.wikipedia....osoft_v._TomTom

established the principle...

 

Some related links:

http://www.sdtimes.c...compatible.aspx

http://web.archive.o...ip/tech/fat.asp

 

The latter (year 2006) sets  the bar at US$ 0.25 per unit or US$ 250,000 total, and details "usage cases", such as:

 

 

Currently, Microsoft offers the following two specific types of licenses:
A license for removable solid state media manufacturers—These manufacturers can pre-format the media to the Microsoft FAT file system format, such as with compact flash memory cards, and then preload data onto the pre-formatted media using the Microsoft FAT file system format. Pricing for this license is US$0.25 per unit with a cap on total royalties of $250,000 per manufacturer.
A license for manufacturers of certain consumer electronics devices—Pricing for this license is $0.25 per unit for each of the following types of devices that use removable solid state media to store data:
Portable digital still cameras
Portable digital video cameras
Portable digital still/video cameras
Portable digital audio players
Portable digital video players
Portable digital audio and video players
Multifunction printers
Electronic photo frames
Electronic musical instruments
Standard televisions

Pricing for this license is $0.25 per unit with a cap on total royalties of $250,000 per licensee. Pricing for other device types can be negotiated with Microsoft.

 

the current page (see first link) has this kind of info removed, but I presume that the general idea remains the same.

 

Wonko

[elegantinvention]

Indeed, however I discussed this with Microsoft. The specifics are under NDA, but my usage of FAT32 in isostick is, as they say, legitimate

[Wonko the Sane]

Indeed, however I discussed this with Microsoft. The specifics are under NDA, but my usage of FAT32 in isostick is, as they say, legitimate

Good, but in that sense (needing to have a License or Agreement with MS) it doesn't differ from exFAT.

 

NTFS makes IMHO no sense whatever (I mean because of the complexity of the filesystem having a huge number of features completely UNlike needed for the use on the Isostick), BUT it may have a not-so-trifling "practical effect", see :

http://www.msfn.org/...d-on-usb-stick/

 

Ext2/3/4 would loose compatibililty with *everything* MS based.

 

The only one that would make some sense (but of course speed tests are needed and you would loose compatibility with DOS and early Windows versions) could be UDF (which is however one of the least used/known/common filesystems outside DVD's and optical media in general, though it is actually perfectly isable and designed for HD-like media too, i.e. as often happens when you tag something as "Universal" it is a mere declaration of intent  and reality is that noone uses it ):

http://en.wikipedia....sal_Disk_Format

 

Wonko