I think I've hit on something that's a problem for many newbies:
Arachne gives control to the user.
Today the majority of software simply takes over, does what it thinks it
should do, and the user is forced to just sit there an wait until
everything is checked out P'n'Ped to death, and written into an ini file
of some sort. Even those who only have DOS machines at home have often
only dealt with winbloze take-over software.
My suggestion would be that the default .acf files be set up to
"presume" certain things. I know that's not necessarily good, but it
might really help.
First thing is make autologin default.
Second thing is to make sure default script is truly blank.
Third thing is to set minimalist defaults on things like speed, memory,
etc so login will almost always occur if ISP phone #, username,
password, POP3 & SMTP info are input correctly. [Cache2temp should
default NO. That is minor until a successful connection is made, and
then user can join list for help finetuning.]
Fourth, on e-mail make "leave on server" default until individual has
functioning Arachne system.
Fifth, get a really basic "you only need to do this" install.txt of some
sort written, something user is told to read and print out before
starting Arachne installation.
Sixth, get an "Install FAQ" text page written, so if minimalist/default
configurations don't work it is possible for user to find "problem" and
see solution on FAQ page.
The biggest problem always seems to have been getting logged into ISP.
Yet it *should* be one of the simplest things, with PAP/CHAP etc.
I'd volunteer to do much of that, but I honestly don't have the time.
With bodywork to still do on my pickup, with maintenance and repairs to
do, with medical appointments to keep, and a trip to DC in less than 1.5
months to finish preparations for, I'm squeezed for time as it is.
Maybe in August I'll have time to look over what everyone else has come
up with and see if it can be tied up neatly with a clean piece of
string.
l.d.
--
-- "I need not like the company I keep, if that company helps me
attain my own personal goals and does me no harm." anon.
--
-- Arachne V1.61, NON-COMMERCIAL copy, http://arachne.cz/
