> I think that this is a great idea. One of the things that keeps Slackware > alive is that fact that it is *so* easy to install (even if it is buggy and > a nightmare to maintain).
My background is this: Had my computer for a year. Never heard of Linux until Apr'96. Started with a CD that had Slack, and RedHat on it. Used slack until sometime in Sept or Oct.'96, then went to Debian. (Found Red hat too confusing to install at first) So, in hindsight, it was necessary to get my hands dirty, and see how bad upgrading, and maintenance could be before I found Debian. I really did think that buying a CD was the best choice until about a month ago, when I started living off the unstable tree. I just point dselect at the ftp site ~once a week, and I am a happy camper. To me the tools contained within any Unix system are almost bound with functionality to the Internet, and with bug fixes, security fixes, ect. the only way to keep up is via Internet, and dselect does this very well. Now really, how much can a complete novice really do with a new Linux machine. It takes an investment of time, energy, and interest to learn even the simplest of tasks, but once you know them ;-) > > If there were a way to install debian, easily, so that the beginner could > do it then it would be really nice. Just group packages into basic groups > and make the dependacy selections for them. If they need something else to > run the package they need then just install it for them and don't bother > telling them. I think we can all agree that a complete beginner is going to have trouble installing any form of Linux/BSD/and yeah maybe even Win95 if they don't do a little research first. When I started I had no idea what a MTA is much less which one I'd like to use. ;-) but gawd to have such a choice ;-) I think it is more important to help complete novices learn a little about what is possible with their new O/S and let them investigate what _they_ want to. Yeah it may take some time to get a fully functional system, but that is how everyone else here did it, right? Do we need to remind people that even though they bought their CD, the software on it is free, an impressive array of tools at your disposal I'd say. As M$uck what they'd charge for such a package. > > I think the most important thing that that they can get it up and running > with as few headaches and confusing messages as possible. Agreed, but I really think that Linux isn't your Moms operating system, and hope it never really is. > > Once the system is installed then they can go on to dselect (or dpkg) to > fine tune which packages they want, *after* they have it working. > > Adam. > > I'm not picking on you Adam, I just don't understand the barrage of attacks on dselect, when this novice, really finds it a joy compared to the alternative. I know, everyone just wants it to be the best it can be, buts lets face it, dselect accomplishes a huge amount of work, in a short time with a huge number of options, and only pukes when it is sick. Couldn't ask any more, considering what we paid for it anyway ;-) Thanks to the Maintainer, and kudos. To the other newbies out there, this mailing list somehow ends up archived as a newsgroup. I've found lots of help by searching problems at http://www.dejanews.com/ Rich M [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- TO UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS MAILING LIST: e-mail the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] . Trouble? e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]