Re: When should I consider installing suggested packages?

["Elmer E. Dow" <elmeredow@earthlink.net>]

On Monday 22 August 2005 03:04 am, Bob Proulx wrote:
> Elmer E. Dow wrote:
> > When should I consider installing suggested packages? 

> I install them only if I know I need them.  Usually I avoid installing
> suggested packages.  I frequently avoid installing recommended
> packages!  Often the maintainers get carried away with extra packages
> or with recommending their own other packages.
>
> When I install software I look at the list of recommended and
> suggested packages and if one of them seems reasonable I install them
> as well.  But if they do not seem reasonable then I do not install
> them.
>
> The caveat here is that I have been using UNIX/GNU systems for many
> years and can make a fairly well educated guess at what is reasonable
> to install or not.  But often experience is the only way to learn.
> And since installing and removing software is so easy I suggest to you
> that you just try it and gain experience through it.
>
> Bob

Thanks to all for the input. After reading the reponses to my question, I'm 
inclined to try experimenting by skipping recommended packages so that I can 
gain some experience with what happens -- if anything -- and keep the system 
cleaner and more secure.

Again, thanks.

-- Elmer E. Dow

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