Re: Need to version control entire root file system

   > You still have {arch} for the whole tree, and .arch-ids for each
   > sub-directory.

   The .arch-ids are not indispensable.

That is true to the extent that one only has files that are plain
text, and no binary files.  Seeing that the OP wanted to manage a
entire root file-system, he cannot get away without using meta-data
all over the place.

But now re-reading the OP's post, I'm wondering what he means with
meta-data, there are several types of meta-data.  One is for book
keeping ({arch}, .arch-ids), and the other is history.  Chris, could
you clarify what you mean?