boot loader

[Dieter]

> You also can't dual boot without console access.

You can, I have a system triple booting without using
the console.

Method 1: boot through grub.  Create shell scripts that
edit grub's menu.lst file.

Method 2: use fdisk(8) to change active partition.

With or without dual booting, if the least little thing goes
wrong you will need the console, and maybe the reset button,
and maybe the hard power switch to recover.  Even rebooting
without changing anything can be dangerous since fsck might
decide to be unhappy.