multi-boot with seperate application and user partitions

[goofy78270]

I am looking to create the ultimate multi-boot system (windows, linux, and maybe ubantu or another windows version) but have a couple of caviots that I cannot figure out.

a. I would like my documents, reference the same location from each OS.

b. I would like my program files/applications to reference the same location.

This would result in 2-3 partitions for the OS, 1-2 partitions for swap files, 1 document partition, 1 application partition

I would like to do this for a couple of reasons:

a. To help save time when reloading an OS - all user settings and applications are stored away from the OS

b. Allow a different OS to utilize the same applications without having it installed for each OS - ie.. Office takes up 1GB give or take - loaded seperately in two OS, this is 2 GB worth of info. Multiply this by any number of programs and you end up with half the space due. I realize that each OS will have its own settings for each application installed, but that is not equal to a full install of the application for each OS.

c. Allow seperate applications to be loaded into each OS, such as games.

I wonder if anyone has done something like this or even tried. I did find multiple post about dual-boot setups, but nothing on setting up shared drives for applications or documents.

Please let me know if I am stuck in the clouds or if you think this might be possible.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

I can tell you how to achieve that on Windows, but not on Linux. But there are other people here who know more about Linux; maybe you'll get some additional info.

a. I would like my documents, reference the same location from each OS.

That is rather easy; see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310147/.

b. I would like my program files/applications to reference the same location.

That is also easy; see http://articles.networktechs.com/47-p1.php. However, if you have multiple Windows installation pointing to the same Program Files folder, you will eventually run into conflicts. Installing the same program from different Windows installations into the same Program files folder will be confusing, especially when upgrading certain programs to a new version. You will also have to think about the %APPDATA% location, if you also want to share this between multiple Windows installations.