On Thursday 30 November 2000 11:16, Craige McWhirter wrote:
> On Thu, 30 Nov 2000 04:44:16 you wrote:
> > installing software on linux is a pain - compared to windows. - you
>
> Not with apt. I'm sorry Raster, but running "apt-get install gnomehack"
> (for example) and having the correct version downloaded, installed,
> configured with all it's dependencies is something I've never seen in 10
> years of supporting Windows. Many's the time myself or users have installed
> something that either broke an installed library or need more things to be
> downloaded to work properly. My grandma can't handle that.
You are right that linux cleverly works out dependancies and automating stuff
when you install things. But lets not degrade this to a Windows vs Linux
debate. What Raster is saying is how things should be on any platform. I'm
sure Windows doesn't meet that standard either. Ideally you shouldn't even
have to install things, they are there as you need them, you only have to
think about installing the software when it involves some kind of monetary
transaction for example. (an example is you are browsing the web and a page
requires flash, what should happen is the plugin is installed automatically
and you view the flash content without rebooting or re-running the browser.
and ofcourse a user should be able to select an advanced user setting if they
don't want that to happen).
For "apt-get" you have to type stuff in. I dare anyone to either unplug their
keyboard for a day or not use a terminal/shell.
But it's not all that bad. Linux (the kernel) is beginning to be used in
embedded devices, in things like set-top boxes and handheld devices and other
places where a keyboard isn't even avaliable.
John
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