> Peter Tribble wrote: > > On 9/6/06, Mike Pogue > > This also ties into the traditional novice/expert design problem (which I > > admit is a Hard > > Problem). One possibility here (I'll just throw this heretical idea out > > there :-) might be to > > make the GUI install focused on the 90% case (aimed at the broadest > > possible audience; > > assume low technical sophistication), and the text-only install focused on > > the 10% case > > (expert, who wants total control, and has the expertise to use it wisely; > > assume high > > technical sophistication).
> It isn't obvious to me that I (presuming myself to be an expert user in this > context) would necessarily want to be given a difficult and painful install > experience. We > should be aiming to improve the install experience for everyone. I agree, but we can split the novice/expert graphical/text installs and still make both much easier. I don't think anyone is arguing to leave the text-mode install the painful experience it is. However, if an expert mode is selected (possibly the second question the installer should ask, see below), then I would say a few more of the "enterprize-style" questions would be a fair decision. > - the expert will either be using jumpstart or some similar > technology so wouldn't see the interactive installer anyway Unfortunately, not true. Where I work, there has been strong resistance against going to one of the more automated technologies. That may change due to some current developments in our environment, but it's been a hard fight, and so far I've lost every time. I suspect I'm not alone in this. :-( > - the expert has the technical capability to change anything they > don't like afterwards True, but "ability" shouldn't mean "has to". > - if the novice has to fix something up afterwards then we've failed Yes, I agree with that. > My biggest complaint about the installer is that it omits the key question > straight off. > If I boot off install media, the first thing it should do is look for an > existing installation > and ask me A. Do you want to upgrade this existing installation > B. Do you want to go into recovery/maintenance mode > C. Do you want to blow the existing installation away Absolutely. And this should be either right before (probably) or right after the choice for a simple "novice" install or a slightly more verbose "expert" install. (Notice here I say "slightly more verbose", not "excruciatingly painful". :-) ) Rainer This message posted from opensolaris.org
