It seems that there have been alot of complaints about Newbie users,
RPMs, and the relationship between the two recently. Getting a bit sick
of it myself. Here's why:
It seems like a general attitude that RPM's are basically designed for
idiots and newbies. I hate to disagree but I have been using Linux for 2
months now and have made good progress. Although RPMs are a bit easier,
it definitely does not require some wise sys admin to install source tar
packages. I have used both and find source packages almost as easy as
RPMs. I think the main point with RPMS is to make the whole LINUX
experience a bit easier for everybody. Is there anyone out there who
would like to install a whole distribution from source tar packages? I
think not. Is there any chance that Linux will become widely used if
there is not some simple way to install programs? I think not. And for
those of you die hards out there who hate RPMs and have never used one
(does this person exist), you always have the option of using the
source.
If there is some inherent security threat with RPMs that does not exist
with source packages, don't bitch that the whole problem stems back to
newbie users who need RPMs - contact Redhat and the other distributors -
and let them know how to improve their methods.
And there is also some complaining about the dumbing down of sys admins
through the use of RPMs and such talk. This is mere arrogance. I assume
that most sys admins know how to use source packages quite well now, but
in the future they might not due to the overuse of MS servers - and one
of the reasons why this could happen is the disagreement in the Unix
world about common ways to do things, and the refusal to make things
easier to understand for new users. (I don't find Unix too hard to use.)
On one hand everyone advocates Linux and Unix, but then complain about
new users who try it because they are to dumb to upgrade, etc. What do
you suggest everyone stick with MS where life is simple and bugs
frequent? Is there even one person who would not say Unix and Linux are
definitely better OS's and would not recommend to people to give up MS
and try out Unix? If this is the case, don't complain about new users,
try to make the road a bit easier for them. Write how to's for source
packages and updating. On the other hand if Unix is meant only for the
elite get rid of Linux, burn the howtos, get rid of the LDP and only
those of you with real experience will be able to use Unix (that is
before its death within the next few years if that's what you propose.)
Hell, get rid of the install explanations for source packages, too. I'm
sure the elite will still be able to get by without them.
Well that's my rant,
Stop bitching about how dumb new users are out of one side of your mouth
and then proclaim happily how many new users of Linux and Unix there
have been this past year out of the other side,
Happy holidays,
Sean
