Make Extensions for Settings

If you want to save application settings, or large files, you can make one or more extensions to save them.

If you have Tiny Core installed on a hard drive, using persistent home and opt, and make extensions for settings, you don't need to use backup.

If you have Tiny Core installed on a USB drive, using backup, and make extensions for settings and large files, you can have less in backup, which reduces the time taken to start up and shut down the computer, and lengthens the life of the USB drive.

To make a new extension, the squashfs-tools-4.0.tcz extension needs to be installed.

Begin by creating directories. Open the Terminal and type:

mkdir -p /home/tc/myext/ext1

Copy and paste files you want to save to ext1. You must include the directory structure, as it is in the root directory.

To make a extension called “myext1.tcz,” open the Terminal, and type:

sudo su
cd /home/tc/myext
mksquashfs ext1/ myext1.tcz

For an actual example of making an extension for settings, see Printer Setup Using Cups.

Copy and paste the new extension to the /tce/optional directory.

Put the new extension in OnBoot using Apps Audit.

Keep a copy of your new extension. If you update extensions, it may be deleted.

In most situations, you could name the new extension anything, and it would work. In some situations, it may need to be loaded after the application you are saving settings for.

Extensions are loaded in the order A to Z, then a to z.

If you make an extension for settings, and it does not work, try renaming it to something starting with a small letter, near the end of the alphabet. For example, you may name it zmyext.tcz.

Another option, instead of making new extensions, is to save files in /opt. An example of this is discussed in Tiny Core Passwords.