stephen wrote:
>
> Having only just finished downloading Beta3, the air became
> slightly colourful when as browsing email I saw RC1 mentioned,
> closely followed by a 'here we go again' feeling, my computer
> is definitely moving out of my bedroom.
>
> I should perhaps mention my modem, that's why I waited for
> a slightly longer lasting beta than 1 & 2 ;-)
>
> Questions::
> 1. Would a binary difference file be possible ?
yes, through xdelta, using
xdelta delta RC1.iso RC3.iso RC3.xd
and then rebuild
xdelta patch RC3.xd RC1.iso RC3.iso
> 2. Would it necessaryily be significantly smaller ?
it's not said, but could be. We don't know unless we try, but depends
on how many RPM packages are changed and how they are placed in the ISO image.
Generally if you do an xdelta between two RPMs (whose files differs only in a few
bytes)
the size of the "delta" file is near the size of the original file (because the gzipped
stream is totally different). I never did that on two "almost" near .ISO image files.
> 2a. How would it compress ?
xdelta files are already gzipped. Note also that 99% of the ISO image contents
contains RPM files, which can't be furthermore packed.
> 3. If it was say 20-50%, would you produce one for the mirrors ?
> 4. Would it be similar for 'Extension' cdroms ?
Bye.
Giuseppe.
