Marco Fioretti wrote: > > 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) Even with FTP, the install should not be _internet_ dependant. Sometimes a network connection will be present , but no internet. I our university, we need to run a special program to get through the proxy/firewall. > 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. This was my biggest gripe with 7.1. The install tries to contact a predefined set of crypto mirrors, none of which were accessible due to our proxy/firewall, when we had a local crypto mirror. It should have allowed sppecifying another ftp location, or have the ability to install the packages from a location on the machine (cdrom, harddrive) > 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. > If done well, this could really rule ! |--------------------------------------------------------------| Buchan Milne Mechanical Engineer, Network Manager Cellphone +27824722231 email mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Centre for Automotive Engineering http://www.cae.co.za South Africas first satellite: http://sunsat.ee.sun.ac.za Control Models http://www.control.co.za |----------------Registered Linux User #182071-----------------|
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