Bug#274028: Critical Remarks
Package: installation-reports
Debian-installer-version: <cdimage-testing/daily/i386 23.09.2004>
Date: 24.09.2004
Method: cd-installation of above image ftp-server: ftp.de.debian (no proxy)
Machine: network (desktop)
Processor: intel P2
Memory: 512MB
Root Device: IDE
Base System Installation Checklist:
[O] = OK, [E] = Error (please elaborate below), [ ] = didn't try it
Initial boot worked: [O]
Configure network HW: [O]
Config network: [O]
Detect CD: [O]
Load installer modules: [O]
Detect hard drives: [O]
Partition hard drives: [O]
Create file systems: [O]
Mount partitions: [O]
Install base system: [O]
Install boot loader: [O]
Reboot: [O]
Comments/Problems:
During the installation no real problems were encountered, but I think,
and so do many others, that for a linux-beginner it is still to difficult.
Especially questions about which mailsystem to use and things concerning the
network settings, a newcomer cannot really answer. Some people have no idea
what this is all about. There should be a standard installation mode for beginners with basically no questions asked. Linux should be the operating
system for everyone. Network and hardware stuff should be configurable at
a later time. Also there is no back button available. Once you've screwed
up, that was it.
The real worry was and still is the installation part of the xfree server.
If any of the settings are wrong the operating system is unable to boot
into x-windows. This is just wonderful, after something like 3 hours of
installation time. Instead the machine falls back into single user mode.
This is more than annoying. What it really means is that debian has just
lost one potential user (forever).
Shouldn't it be possible to boot into a standard 640x480 vga resolution,
with a standard mouse-driver installed, if the x-server fails, with the
option to change the settings later on? Perhaps this should even be the preferred setup for any new installation.
This new installer is a vast improvement over whatever there was before.
The installation or removing of packages is the best I have yet seen.
(some similar method has been applied in fink). All in all you have done
a great job. Thank you to everyone involved. To say the truth, this was
my first successful installation of debian gnu/linux, and I have tried
quite a few over the last 5 years.
I am using a mac as my personal computer. I must admit with the new
graphical package managers debian linux has an advantage over os x. I hope
one day people will start writing usable (multi-media) software for linux
that works and looks similar to the stuff I use on my mac. I am certain
that this would make a giant impact on the windows market.
The people I know that are using linux still have their windows installed
in parallel. This can't be the solution.
Once again, thanks for a great job.
Martin Makella
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