Bug#38703: debian-policy: [PROPOSAL] A better way to configure debian systems
Laurent Martelli <martelli@iie.cnam.fr> writes:
> >>>>> "Goswin" == Goswin Brederlow <goswin.brederlow@student.uni-tuebingen.de> writes:
> Goswin> - Allow for automatic, non-interactive installation -
> Goswin> Variable amount of questions depending on the users
> Goswin> experience
> It think it would cool if questions were asked before the packages
> are installed. (the way network configuration is done). This way,
> you can setup everything, launch the installation, go for a coffee,
> and come back half an hour later without finding a prompt asking you
> if you want colors for xfig. Only a few questions need to be asked I
> think.
All packages must carry a reasonable and useable default value. If you
have all packages at hand, e.g. on CD, you can configure the packages
without installing and save those defaults. Then you hit install and
let it run non-interactive. If you don't have the packages handy, you
first hit install letting it run non-interactive and afterwards your
interface of choise will eigther prompt you for the configuration or
provide you a menu of still unconfigured packages, depending on the
interface of your choise.
The menuconfig and java interface I'm designing will show a "!" before
packages that need configuration to function at all and "?" for
packages you haven't configured, but wich will work. "!" should only
be needed for stuff like network config. Installing xfig would not ask
you anything, but would have a "?" in front of it.
Another possibility, which requires major changes to dpkg, would be to
inform the config interface as soon as the control.tar.gz of a package
is downloaded, whitout stoping the download. The config interface
would then add the new package to the menu of unconfigure packages.
May the Source be with you.
Goswin
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