It seems to me that there are several levels of Linux User installation being talked about. It is important then to know at whom we are aiming the system. Target Marketing - works wonders ;-) See is you agree with me, or set me straight. The different users would look like (and the most likely percentage of current computer users): *** This is my Gut feeling.**** .5% Guru - If the guru does not know the answer, normally, nobody does. 2% Advanced user - Can handle all day to day issues, plan, build and develop systems. Rarely needs reference material anymore. 5% Intermediate user - Can handle day to day issues, plan simple builds, but not ready to develop systems. 10% Beginning user - Can get into most "normal" applications and get their own work done. Has almost no idea about how it all works. 83.5% Newbie - Just installed Linux. Has no idea what to do next. Clicks on things and gets lost. I would envision an installation database tracking packages in "standard" installations (Firewall, Web Server, Mail Server, Developer Station, ...), and relating them to different users "abilities". Kind of like this... G = Guru, A = Advanced, I = Intermediate, B = Beginner, N = Newbie + = Install - = no install ? = Give option ** the next several lines need a mono-spaced font *** Install Type -> Web | Firewall | Development | Workstation | Office Use | Personal | Gamer | .... User Type Package Apache +GAIBN | ?GA-IBN | ?GAI-BN | | | | | SendMail ?GA+IBN | ?GA-IBN | ?GA+IBN | | | | | vi | | | | | | | This matrix would then allow a user to select what they think they are based on something like the above (but better) definition, then to select what kind of installation they want to do. The Guru level would basically get the option on everything, and be able to see all packages, whereas the Newbie would get only the most uncomplicated stuff (read GUI or very simple shell.) The Guru's system would setup with Root login as normal. The Newbie's system would set up with all kinds of warnings (Are you sure? type stuff). The Guru's system would have normal direct access to the raw configurations of the system. The Newbie's system would wrap everything it could in "control panels" and leave the rest out. The Guru's system would have all directories wide open to the local user (normal). The Newbie's system would not have /etc or other *important* directories visible. (Please forgive me if this does not seem well thought out, it has been a 70+ hour week already, and the weekend still looms!) But, this is the kind of definitions I have to think about when I device systems of systems. To me it makes sense to go in that direction. It allows us all to contribute feedback that can be applied. It allows us to make use of the complaints we read about, and potentially restrict certain packages/ configurations to users who deem themselves more advanced. I think I will end my ramblings here. What does everyone else think?
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