Re: An *idea* that *might* put Debian on top (?)
How about some "clueless user" testimony about Debian? I am completely new
to Linux and *nix in general (though I did play with an IBM RS/6000 at work
once). I'm so clueless, I didn't even know that Debian was a difficult
Linux distribution.
So, strictly out of curiosity (could a $6.00 set of CD's really give you a
decent OS?), I installed Debian potato (2.2r3) a month ago on my home
machine following the instructions at www.debian.org and at linux.com
(http://Linux.com/learn/installguide/debian). I have to say I was
pleasantly surprised that things worked out as advertised--for the basic
installation. Got X and Gnome running, even.
I soon realized that printers, sound cards, modems, and digitizing pads are
not considered crucial parts of the system (at least for these installation
guides). Took me a while to figure out how to get these working, but I
eventually found the info I needed on the Internet. Someone who was less
persistent than I was wouldn't have done it, I don't think. And judging
from the messages on this list, these peripherals cause more problems than
anything else.
So--my experience is that the installation of a basic working Debian system
is not too hard. Configuring peripherals is hard!
BTW, is comparing OS's on their ease of installation useful outside the
Linux world? I don't think many users of Windows have ever installed the
OS.
Now back to lurking--
Mark Garland
Tallahassee, Florida
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marcus" <lists@wordit.com>
To: <debian-user@lists.debian.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2001 4:34 PM
Subject: Re: An *idea* that *might* put Debian on top (?)
[snip]
> One thing I definately agree on is that Debian could do with easier
> installation, or at least more user guidance.
>
> Personally I decided on Debian after trying Suse and Red Hat first.
> However, I've been following the Linux distro rankings in one computer
> magazine (CHIP, Germany), and Debian is rated lowest amongst 7 others.
> I think this is mainly due to lacking "user guidance" during setup and
> package installation. I've not installed potato from scratch myself,
> but I guess those ratings are based on potato.
>
> What is the general opinion?
> That Debian is not for users who cannot deal with it the way
> setup/maintenance is designed now, or that it is a goal to also include
> users unfamiliar with the command line someday?
> I believe Suse and Mandrake are following the latter path?
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