Re: Bug#696154: cloud.debian.org: Please install 'less' by default on official Debian AMIs.
On 12/18/2012 12:31 AM, Brian Gupta wrote:
> So in summary, I'd say that while it would be easier to make the
> threshold for whether a package is installed simply, "Is it absolutely
> required to finish bootstrapping", I'd argue we should take the extra
> work to be more inclusive and evaluate if it is expected to be there.
For a *server*, I expect to have only the bare minimum setup.
Absolutely *nothing* else. No extra like vim, pico, nano, or
$pager...
That's for a server. And we're here talking about a cloud
instance, where you should expect even less manual interaction.
Nowadays, many uses pupet, juju and friends.
I do expect users to have everything setup automatically, and
not even have to log into their instance. In such an environment,
it makes even less sense to install a specific $PAGER, just
because it's nicer. Same for editors, etc.
All the argument you've been giving about editors (eg: you
think vim should be there, but not emacs) are very subjective.
Where do you draw the line? Nobody will agree. I, for example,
would believe that GNU screen is 100 times more useful than
having an alternative pager for example.
The thing is, we should expect our users to know how to apt-get
what they need, and not make the choices for them.
Now, if we are to provide some images with more tools, I think
it is a good idea, but that should be *another set* of images,
not just the standard cloud instance.
Anyway, I think I've made my point already... :)
Cheers,
Thomas (who never uses less, because debootstrap doesn't install
it by default, and don't think it is "expected")
Reply to: