Re: Why?

[Paul E Condon <pecondon@mesanetworks.net>]

On Fri, Jul 14, 2006 at 10:40:07AM +0200, Johannes Wiedersich wrote:
> Paul E Condon wrote:
> >But some posters to this thread seem to be unaware that selecting
> >"Desk top" during install of Debian causes -both- kde -and- gnome to
> >be installed. So, I believe almost all of those newbies about whom we
> >are genuinely concerned already have both on their computer.  And
> >-both- gdm -and- kdm can be told to start up either kdm or gnome.
> >(xdm doesn't seem to have this feature.)
> 
> Yes, but still I believe the question should be asked. Newbies don't 
> know there is a choice and find themselves in default gnome before they 
> have a chance to decide. Experts have to know that they manually have to 
> select kde before they log in.
> 
> I don't remember how often I sat in front of a newly installed computer, 
> thoughtlessly entering username and password, accidentially starting 
> gnome, switching to the console, removing all the autogenerated gnome 
> config files, selecting kde or xfce and logging in again....
> 
> It certainly isn't an unnecessary question to be asked on installation!

Strictly speaking, it is unnecessary. The installation gets done successfully
without it being asked. A more appropriate question might be, it is useful?
For a real newbie, the idea that there different competing user interfaces is
a real mind bender. For a person like you who knows about it and knows what 
he wants, the question would be a useful reminder to choose now what you will
otherwise choose later. I also like helpful reminders to do things that I
know I want to have done, but does this outrank making the install interface
OK for real first-time dummies? These dummies often have good communication
skills and write good letters to this list asking really dumb questions,
which sometimes trigger really nasty flames from some of us. Bad! I say
let's keep it simple. But that's just my opinion.

-- 
Paul E Condon           
pecondon@mesanetworks.net