Re: A proposal to improve dselect
> I think that this is a great idea. One of the things that keeps Slackware
> alive is that fact that it is *so* easy to install (even if it is buggy and
> a nightmare to maintain).
My background is this: Had my computer for a year. Never heard of
Linux until Apr'96. Started with a CD that had Slack, and RedHat on
it. Used slack until sometime in Sept or Oct.'96, then went to
Debian. (Found Red hat too confusing to install at first)
So, in hindsight, it was necessary to get my hands dirty, and see how
bad upgrading, and maintenance could be before I found Debian.
I really did think that buying a CD was the best choice until about a
month ago, when I started living off the unstable tree. I just point
dselect at the ftp site ~once a week, and I am a happy camper.
To me the tools contained within any Unix system are almost bound
with functionality to the Internet, and with bug fixes, security
fixes, ect. the only way to keep up is via Internet, and dselect does
this very well.
Now really, how much can a complete novice really do with a new Linux
machine. It takes an investment of time, energy, and interest to
learn even the simplest of tasks, but once you know them ;-)
>
> If there were a way to install debian, easily, so that the beginner could
> do it then it would be really nice. Just group packages into basic groups
> and make the dependacy selections for them. If they need something else to
> run the package they need then just install it for them and don't bother
> telling them.
I think we can all agree that a complete beginner is going to have
trouble installing any form of Linux/BSD/and yeah maybe even Win95
if they don't do a little
research first. When I started I had no idea what a MTA is much less
which one I'd like to use. ;-) but gawd to have such a choice ;-)
I think it is more important to help complete novices learn a little
about what is possible with their new O/S and let them investigate
what _they_ want to. Yeah it may take some time to get a fully
functional system, but that is how everyone else here did it, right?
Do we need to remind people that even though they bought their CD,
the software on it is free, an impressive array of tools at your
disposal I'd say. As M$uck what they'd charge for such a package.
>
> I think the most important thing that that they can get it up and running
> with as few headaches and confusing messages as possible.
Agreed, but I really think that Linux isn't your Moms operating
system, and hope it never really is.
>
> Once the system is installed then they can go on to dselect (or dpkg) to
> fine tune which packages they want, *after* they have it working.
>
> Adam.
>
>
I'm not picking on you Adam, I just don't understand the barrage of
attacks on dselect, when this novice, really finds it a joy compared
to the alternative. I know, everyone just wants it to be the best it
can be, buts lets face it, dselect accomplishes a huge amount of work, in
a short time with a huge number of options, and only pukes when it is
sick. Couldn't ask any more, considering what we paid for it anyway ;-)
Thanks to the Maintainer, and kudos.
To the other newbies out there, this mailing list somehow ends up
archived as a newsgroup. I've found lots of help by searching
problems at
http://www.dejanews.com/
Rich M
qnc496@durhamnews.net
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