Re: finding and using applications
Would it be too hard to add a "verbose" type flag that tells exactly
what dpkg is installing as it does it? gzip does this by default, so I'd
think that since dpkg basically calls gzip, there could be a
"pass-through" switch to turn on verbose reporting with not too much
hassle.
On Tue, 4 May 1999, William R Pentney wrote:
> On Tue, 4 May 1999, Tommy Malloy wrote:
>
> I agree with this one. Now and then I will install a package in which none
> of the binaries have the same name as the package, and there is no manpage
> available, so I have to hunt for the application's _name_. It makes one
> feel very silly, and can be quite frustrating.
>
> I think that dselect could use an additional tool to navigate through the
> contents of packages. I realize that there is a "dpkg -l" option, but
> there must be a better way.
>
> - Bill
>
> > Suppose you have a Debian Gnu/Linux system set up and fully loaded with
> > applications. A new user appears who is going to use the system. The
> > new user is a unix novice. He/she knows enough basic commands to get
> > by.
> > Is there a simple way for that user to find every available application
> > on the system, what the application does, and how to use it?
> > I really don't think so. Remember apropos only scans man pages.
> > Looking in /usr/bin isn't much help for finding a tool to do a specific
> > job unless you already know about it. I really believe that any user
> > should be able to step up to the machine and quickly and easily find if
> > an application to do what they want is available. Yes this is available
> > for many applications, but not for all.
> > I believe that this serious problem, which is an impediment to Linuxes
> > mass acceptance could easily be fixed. Debian should not include
> > application that are not fully documented ie have manpages, info pages
> > etc
> > Also some frontend appliction for finding applicatons would be helpful
> > Somethnig based on he code for dselect would probably work fine.
> > Please don't suggest that I write it. I can't. I am only commenting
> > on a feature I would like to see. Please don't ask what type of
> > applicaton I am looking for so you can help me find it. I am not
> > looking for an application. But I would like to be able, and have any
> > users be able, to know what applications are available on my system and
> > how to use them.
> > I would like to be able to get that informantion exclusivly from my
> > computer and not depend on this list, irc, usenet, my big pile of tech
> > books, or any external source. I am root for heavens sake.
> > Strictly from a System administration perspective, There should be a
> > simple way for users to know what apps are available to them. If you
> > know one please let me know it
> >
> >
> > --
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> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
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>
I can be immature if I want to, because I'm mature enough to make my own
decisions.
Who is John Galt? galt@inconnu.isu.edu
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