I'm probably coming at this from the wrong angle, but here goes: I don't even support the presence of graphical package management in Trisquel. I don't use it, don't recommend it, and (when helping others with/ installing GNU for others) teach them the command-line way of doing things. I never understood the need for graphical package management- although I concede that this makes things 'easier' for the first-time user and more similar to the point-and-click interfaces they are used to, frankly I don't think a user who isn't prepared to get a terminal open should even be installing new packages and diving into the often-times confusing world of GNU package management.
There are two main aims which must be kept in mind when considering introducing people to the free software camp- of course, free software must be as attractive and functional as possible in order to attract new users. This is why I support a wide range of well-made user-friendly applications bundled together with the wonderfully set up Trisquel DE in the default install, to make things more hassle-free for those just dipping in to GNU for the first time. However, the cost of making everything require zero thought is twofold: it leads to bad administration habits and potentially endangers the user's system, and it also perpetuates the culture of ignorance that the corporate software world breeds- the approach that presents users a *surface* upon which to do their business without asking serious questions about what their computer is doing, how, or why- or knowing about anything below the surface. This is antithetical to the aims of free software and opposition to the culture of ignorance- the creation of a free digital society in which all are participants. What is the solution? Clearly the world of free software must be as attractive as possible. However, we must also take care not to breed bad habits, ignorance, and we must set people on the path to reasonable computer literacy- a stage at which they have a decent understanding of what's going on behind the scenes, aren't afraid to ask questions, and aren't afraid to get the command line open and do some learning themselves. The best way of doing this is two maintain two main installation options. The first is a 'new user'-friendly ISO containing the Trisquel DE and stuffed with as many good applications as possible. The other should be a minimalist netinstall setup (like the current one) in which all installation options are to be set by more experienced users who know what they want. Neither should offer graphical package management. Perhaps the 'user-friendly' CD could contain a link in the DE labelled 'Add/Remove Programs'. However, this should link to a help file explaining the concepts behind GNU package management, and APT in particular, explaining (at the start) just a few basics: - APT configuration (such as the source list) - adding, removing, and purging programs - updating the package list and upgrading the system. What do you think? It sounds a bit elitist, but I sincerely think this is the way to start people on the path to terminal literacy. This is also somewhat biased based on my own experience- my first distribution of GNU+Linux was Debian, which I started with about a year ago. However, I never touched Synaptic and taught myself how to do things the dpkg/apt-get way. Simply being in contact with the terminal kickstarted me on the learning process, and I am learning new things about GNU every day. The basics of terminal package management aren't really that difficult to grasp- anyone can learn.
