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Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:59:36 -0400
From: "Larry Hall (Cygwin)" <reply-to-list-only-lh AT cygwin DOT com>
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To: cygwin AT cygwin DOT com
Subject: Re: reseting HOME directory
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Will Parsons wrote:
> Larry Hall (Cygwin) wrote:
>> mcbenus wrote:
>>> Thanks! Is that ok to change the Windows Home? what implications it may have
>>> on other software? 
>> For Cygwin, you shouldn't set HOME in the Windows environment unless you
>> need Cygwin to see the same HOME as some other software (MKS is one
>> example I know of that likes to set HOME in the Windows environment).
>> As for the implications, it depends on the software you have installed
>> that relies on this environment variable (like MKS).  Windows doesn't
>> use HOME.  So unless you really need it, you're better off removing
>> it from you Windows environment.
> 
> I don't know that there's any particular reason to discourage setting HOME
> in the Windows environment - I've done it for years (since I started using
> Cygwin B19, I think).  For me, it serves to indicate where "my stuff" is
> located, whether Cygwin related or not (c:\wbp).  Besides Cygwin, it is
> used in my systems by (non-Cygwin) Emacs and MSYS.

As I said, if there's a reason for someone to set HOME as a Windows
environment variable, then there's no reason it can't be done and
Cygwin will happily use that setting as well.  Non-Cygwin Emacs, MKS,
and any other software out there that relies on HOME being set to
something in the Windows environment is a fine reason to do that.
But Cygwin doesn't need that.  And if a user isn't using software
that needs that, such as in the case of the OP where things were
"fine" until something set HOME in Windows, then having it set is of
no advantage and can even cause problems.  So my recommendation is,
if you don't need it, don't set it.  If you don't know that you
need it, don't set it.  If you know you need it or want it, set
it.  In the last case, it's assumed you know what you're doing and
that you know how to deal with any issues that might arise from
doing that.  You're obviously in that camp.  There's no reason for
you to change.  The fact that the OP was confused by this setting
suggests that he's not.  For folks like that, I always recommend
that things be kept simple.  That's all.

-- 
Larry Hall                              http://www.rfk.com
RFK Partners, Inc.                      (508) 893-9779 - RFK Office
216 Dalton Rd.                          (508) 893-9889 - FAX
Holliston, MA 01746

_____________________________________________________________________

A: Yes.
 > Q: Are you sure?
 >> A: Because it reverses the logical flow of conversation.
 >>> Q: Why is top posting annoying in email?

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