Re: finding and using applications
What about something that could search /var/lib/dpkg/available
intelligently? ie: You can set regexes on each field (some fields would
be better served by checkboxes or listboxes) and all packages matching
those criteria (make sure that the ones with listboxes let you do the
equivalent of OR [and where appliciable AND]!) would be displayed.
Hmm, I think I could even write such a beast. A command-line version in
perl and an X frontend in perl/Tk. Is the format of the available file
fully documented somewhere?
On Tue, May 04, 1999 at 07:14:53AM -0400, Tommy Malloy wrote:
> 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
--
Matthew Sachs
matthewg@interport.net
-- random fortune quote --
[A computer is] like an Old Testament god, with a lot of rules and no
mercy.
-- Joseph Campbell
Reply to: