Re: on forming a new Linux Distribution
"Rev. Joseph Carter" <knghtbrd@icarus2.dyn.ml.org> writes:
> [1 <text/plain; us-ascii (7bit)>]
> On Fri, May 01, 1998 at 04:19:42PM +1000, John Boggon wrote:
>
> > Can someone tell me why a new distribution has to be started up just
> > because the current one isn't newbie friendly or easy to install ?
> There isn't really.
Apart from flames one will get from Debian developers for using their
work, especially when selling the distribution. And you get quite a
lot.
> > Why not concentrate on an installation system or front end for dpkg / APT
> > along with a system management GUI package that can help an inexperienced
> > sysadmin or user maintain his/her system ? This work could be done
> > independently of Debian and be designed to sit over the top of it.
> > Wouldn't this achieve Bruce's aims ? Why re-invent the wheel ?
>
> Not quite that, but similar is what a few of us have been talking about and
> I have had in mind for some time now.. Debian's a good dist. Why duplicate
> the effort? And, we could not duplicate the shortcuts that the developers
> have already if we are working on newbie stuff. Then it would end up like
> redhat, either you can have it really simple or not at all.
>
> Debian has a lot of shortcuts for people who know their way around the
> system. Those are just as important as the the configuration scripts for
> the most absolute novice in the world. Moreso really because most will
> eventually grow out of the novice scripts and tools and into the standard
> shortcuts found in Debian now.
One of the big Problems with Debian for a newbie are all those
questions asked, he never heard about. Also questions are asked every
few minutes during the installation, which is a bad thing [tm].
One can change the first by preconfiguring most stuff and thus blowing
up the base.tgz, the second can not easily be changed. One would need
a new mechanism that asked all questions beforehand or afterwards, or
dpkg should continue installing other packages when waiting for user
interactions on another.
Debian is a very good starting point, but Debian changes slowly. There
are too many people makeing and talking about decisions, so quick
Reactions are hardly possible.
That also has a good site, things arent changeing without being well
thought and many Problems are thought out before being
programmed. Also things are just programmed by someone, and if its
helpfull for most people, the Debian community really use it and
enhance it.
May the Source be with you.
Mrvn
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