Buchan Milne wrote:
>
> [snip]
> >
> > Excellent Ideas. To carry it (run script from floppy) farther... the first part
>of
> > the install would ensure an internet connection, the second part would call into
> > play someone's (sorry forgot who) idea of a web based script that would allow a
>user
> > to select from packages to load and either write a script to floppy/hard disk to
> > install the remainder of the available packages from the CD's (assuming that local
> > access is faster than d/ling from inet.)
>
> As long as you don't mean that the installation is dependant on an
> internet connection ...
>
Exactly. My original proposal of a web based package selection was meant
to
happen completely BEFORE installation. My point was that:
1) As Buchan pointed out, any kinf of installation (except ftp based, of
course)
should not rely on internet connection made on the fly by the
installation
script. For example, when I custom installed LM 7.1 I choose to
connect to
the internet to download crypto packages, and the perl backend simply
died on
me.
2) Finding out the exact set of applications one need takes long time,
and no two
sets will be equal. This is why one should have all the time needed
to do it well
BEFORE installation, which everybody wants to be as fast and smooth
as possible. So
when it comes to package selection, one should have **already**:
figured out all the APPLICATIONS he or she wants to run
written out somewhere that list, and
just put the list into the PC, via a floppy, go have a coffee and
find a
completely configured machine, no more tweeking needed, thank you.
At risk of bore someone, let me repeat that this web based thing should
be APPLICATION
centric, and maintain state between sessions. One should be able to tell
it (maybe in two
or three times):
I want the Gimp, Koffice, Window Maker, bash, gcc, perl, apache,
gnuplot....
and the script should find the minimum set of packages needed, including
libraries
and such, tell the disk space needed and allow list editing.
Since we are dreaming, let it allow HW selection also, i.e. let's have
it ask which
graphic/sound/modem/network cards you have and include only the
necessary files
to use them.
Ciao,
Marco Fioretti
Keep in touch with http://mandrakeforum.com:
Subscribe the "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" mailing list.
