Marc Wilson wrote:
My point was that installing Debian should be no more complex than installing other operating systems. Debian could potentially attract a large number of home desktop users from Windows now that Windows 98 is no longer 'supported' and Windows XP is soon to be replaced. Anyone installing Windows would not expect to have to use the DOS commandline during the process.On Thu, Sep 07, 2006 at 09:20:00AM +0100, Chris Lale wrote:A totally gui install would make Debian feasible for a huge number of home desktop users migrating from Windows.Why? Why does a GUI installer make it feasable, but a ncurses installer not make it feasable? It's unfortunate that Debian has actually caved in to this pressure. [ ... ]
My main concern was that anyone choosing the 'Desktop environment' task during installation should end up with a desktop which includes a GUI front end to Apt (eg Synaptic). They should not have to use commandline tools like Apt-get or Aptitude after the base install. According to the parallel thread in the debian-boot list (http://lists.debian.org/debian-boot/2006/09/msg00250.html) this will be a possible route. (An Ncurses install would still be an acceptable option, and a necesssary one for low memory systems. It does not involve using the commandline. The point is that by including Synaptic in tasksel's 'Desktop environment' it would be possible to run a Debian system without ever using the commandline. I hear you shuddering with horror!)
Debian can be different things to different people - a server, a network client, a development environment, an X environment, a commandline environment, etc. I just think that Debian should offer a smooth ride to someone who wants a Free desktop replacement for Windows.
Chris.