you don't actually move the 'home' folder, or delete it or anything. here's the original e-mail i got. this should explain it better:
Dr. Mac's OS X Tip-of-the-Day
August 06, 2002
Dr. Mac Agrees - Home is where you make it.
By Bob LeVitus
Today, I'm happy to announce, we have our first contest winner...
I can't stand that Apple has dictated that we should keep all our pictures,
movies, music, and documents in our "Home." Especially because I try to keep
my OS X partition free of anything else. I often find applications will not
only install into the OS X application folder, but they will also include
lots of user data in the documents folder (like Virtual PC with gigabyte
large drive images).
Also, the custom picture screensaver and iPhoto really like to use the home
folder too.
So, here's my solution (amazingly simple, but works great):
Copy the current home folders to another place on another partition, then
create aliases back to them on the OS X partition in the Home folder. Seems
to cause no conflicts, and my programs work great (and keep away from my OS
X system install!)
-Justin Grant Leader
I chose this tip because I agree completely. I like as much of "my" stuff on
another disk or volume (from the startup volume/disk).
I do it a bit differently (but obtain the same result). You see, I'm a
little leery of moving my Home directory to another volume. I know Justin
says it's OK and it worked for him, but I'm not as confident. So what I've
done instead is to create aliases for Documents, Pictures, Music, and such.
The real folders reside on my second disk; the aliases replace the empty
folders Apple installed in my Home directory.
This technique works beautifully and makes it easier to reinstall OS X.
Before I conclude I have a couple of tips about the contest that will
increase your chance of winning a book or t-shirt...
1. You MUST submit a tip. I received dozens of emails today that said
something like this:
I would like the shirt/I'll take a book.
Steve Dumass
1313 Mockingbird Lane
Munster, IN 13131
I'm sorry but no tip = no chance of winning.
2. You MUST include your shipping address and choice of prize (should you
win). Of the remaining emails I got today (the ones that included a tip), at
least half didn't include a shipping address.
AND THAT INCLUDES YOU, Mr. JUSTIN GRANT LEADER... I can't send you your
prize unless I know where to send it and which you'd prefer - t-shirt or
book...
3. Don't worry about your privacy. If you win, I will use your address to
label your prize, then delete it. in other words, your name, address, or
other info will not leave my Mac.
That's it for today. Let's see some great tips - I've got a lot of shirts
and books to give away!!!!
To discuss this tip (or anything you like) in Dr. Mac's OSXFAQ Forum, click
here:
http://forums.osxfaq.com/viewtopic.php?t=2196
Check Out The OS X News, Forums, Tutorials, Tips, Hints, Dr. Mac & FAQ's
http://www.OSXFAQ.com
so thats the whole thing.
Nipsy, what is the purpose of a SWAP partition?
i'll read up as much as i can about partitions and i'll probably do it as soon as i get 10.2. know any sites with good stuff about partitioning in OS X or with UNIX etc? anything special i should know?