Re: improvements
tomk@westgac3.dragon.com wrote:
>
> (2 cents worth) 8-) I perceive 2 separate issues going on this list
pertaining
> to improving Debian. Issue 1 - Easier installation; Issue 2 - friendlier
> "dselect". On installation issue, I'd like to see a return
to the installation
> of release 0.93 - A custom mode for the experienced Debian user and
a "newby"
> mode (with uncluttered DOS-like screens) for the raw newcomer to Debian.
> On the dselect issue, a lot of information is crammed into the presentation
> making the "upgrade" process more difficult than it needs
to be. I refer to
> "dselect" as an upgrade process because at the point that
dselect is called,
> the base OS is already in place/installed. You are then "upgrading"
the base
> into a fuller, more usable system.
>
> I would like to see a "dselect" organized by applications
rather than the
> current packages/sub-catagory presentation. Example:
>
> I start this new program and have a screen oriented by application:
>
> (these are merely suggestions and are not set in concrete)
>
> communications non-networking communications
> documentation all documentation
> development as is currently
> games
all games
> graphics anything which
creates, massages, transforms graphics
> misc
catch all- math, electronics, hamradio, "misc", etc.
> networking any networking functions-
mail, news, utilities, etc.
> printing anything dealing
with printing- TEX, lout, etc.
> system admin,
base, shells, X windows, etc.
>
> I need communications; I move the cursor to the communications "folder"
and
> open it. Now I see a new screen with efax, minicom, and uucp (applications!)
> Now I move the cursor to minicom and select it. At this point, dselect
would
> select minicom _and_ all other package(s) needed by minicom. If a
conflict
> exist, then a "popup" box would appear stating that there
was a conflict and
> offer to either take care of it immediately, or wait until later.
>
> I suggest a new "dselect" called "aselect". (keep
the current dselect!)
> "aselect" would be for the "newby" or applications
oriented person to upgrade
> his base installed Debian. When the installation is finished and the
person
> reboots, does the admin stuff, they have the opportunity to either
use the
> applications oriented "dselect" or the packages oriented
"dselect" with the
> default going to applications.
I like this idea and I'm a newbie...:-)) There should be of course always
a help screen available, describing (not just with one phrase) what the
selected application is used for, because it is not always so obvious,
only by just looking at the name. The current dselect description is
not not that informative about all applications, and when U never used
Unix/Linux before it's more confusing and U are not sure if the application
is needed or not??
Greetings
Jacek
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