Do you think it is a plus to lop off a chunk(s) of your hard drive
just to test java for the mac?
Seriously, though, you don't see a problem with this?
No, I don't see a problem with this, but YMMV.
Disk storage is cheap. I also have several hundred GB of Firewire-
connectable storage, too (with some empty partitions set aside). So
if I want, I can use that, too, or just buy another few-100 GB
Firewire drive for around $200 or less.
I also don't see a problem with this for another reason: each
partition I've "lopped off" can have a different bootable OS version
and configuration on it (e.g. Mac OS X Server). I use this for
testing OS pre-releases, as well as for installing (or keeping) old
OS versions around to test on. One machine I have has 6 different
bootable OS+Java partitions over a broad range of versions. Yes, I
consider all these partitions and versions a definite plus.
For me, it all comes down to the cost of doing business as a
professional.
As noted, the actual monetary outlay for the disk storage is cheap:
dirt cheap when my time is factored in. For me, the value of having
these different configurations almost instantly available and
selectable (i.e. no restores from backup, no reinstalls from DVD,
etc.) easily outweighs the raw disk-storage cost. I can literally
reconfig and reboot to any installed config in well under a minute.
I can also replicate any partition and hack on it, knowing it's
completely disposable if Bad Things happen. For me, that translates
into real dollars saved.
Think of it this way: if there has ever been a time when you've
thought "Wow, I'd pay someone $20 just to not have to sit through
this freakin' reinstall", then you've probably already overcome the
storage cost outlay: $20 of hard-disk space is probably at least 40
GB these days, and a bootable Mac OS X easily fits in that.
YMMV, but seriously, if you're not testing on various OS versions and
configurations (regardless of OS), you could be in for a surprise.
You also should be testing on 64-bit Java 5, both ppc64 and x86,
because those Java configs ship with every Leopard from 10.5.0 on.
Lotsa developers forget about the 64-bit JVMs on Leopard, until one
of their customers tries it.
Not that any of this has any direct bearing on Google Chrome.
-- GG
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