An *idea* that *might* put Debian on top (?)
Greetings all,
I'm totally new to the list, and I'm not even running Debian yet, but I have
an idea that I'd like to bounce off the group:
Consider that one of the major reasons that people don't use any operating
system besides windows is because they need to *install* it. Most machines
are delivered with Windows already running. Installing a new operating
system can be a major hurdle, even for someone with computer experience.
What if installation *and* maintainence could be managed by a single simple
program, freeing the novice user from mountains of research, tweaking, and
testing?
Imagine a P2P network of Debian users who *all* shared their system
configuration information, thus comprising a consensus of proper
configuration for various hardware compositions, (e.g. All users with the
AsusV7 motherboard and Matrox G400 graphics card would share information to
devise the best configuration for that hardware.)
Once a user-base is established from existing Debian users, new users could
download this small P2P application. Upon running it for the first time, it
would set about making a partition used expressly for Debian, and start
downloading the Debian operating system. Once the basics were in place,
hardware self-diagnostics would begin, and searches across the P2P network
would reveal other users with similar hardware setups. Then, actual
configuration would take place automatically. This new user would recieve
'advice' (from other users with identical or similar hardware) about which
drivers to download and where to place them. Properly planned, such an
application might well automate the installation and maintainence process!
True, while many pieces of hardware may, as of yet, be unsupported by
Debian, such a system would be able to report precisely *which* pieces of
unsupported hardware were the *most* common amongst it's users, thus
providing vital feedback to the Debian developer community about what
drivers need to be developed in order to continue the impetus that is
Debian.
Security Note: Of course, there will always be anti-social types who would
seek to sabotage such a system by developing a rogue version of the P2P
application which provides bogus information. This must be circumvented by
requiring a *majority* agreement for configuration advice by the P2P
network. It seems implausible that such a rogue version could outnumber the
authentic article.
I envision Debian becoming an OS that is not only powerful, but also
painless and simple, becoming much more than a mere thorn in the paw of the
lion that is Windows. I feel very strongly about the free software movement,
which is why I'm discussing this here first, not that I'm certain this an
original, (or even feasible)idea. I'd like to hear any feedback you might
have, be it positive or negative.
Is this:
(a) A bad idea that will never work.
(b) A good idea that probably won't work.
(c) A great idea! Let's get to work!
One last thing: I'm open to suggestions for naming such a P2P client.
Something which expresses community support and freedom from technical
issues...
Thanks for listening, and my apologies for being so verbose.
Jack Pryne
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
Reply to: