Bug#182700: www.debian.org should link to apt-get.org (was: Re: I think it's mostly about communication)
> I definitely object to saying that kind of thing anywhere near the sections
> for total newbies (unofficial repositories can break their systems), but
> yes, a link to apt-get.org should be added in a few places.
Since this wishlist-item was submitted in response to a mail I wrote, let me
clarify, what I had in mind:
The link in question is explicitely intended for total newbies, or even for
people merily considering to switch to debian in the future. Especially for
the latter, information like "yeah, you can get KDE 3.x for debian" may be
very important. It's not of much use for anybody else, since people that have
been around for some time tend to know apt-get.org, and even if they don't,
they will know where to find and how to use unofficial repositories.
Of course your objection is very reasonable. Let me explain, how I think this
could/should be done:
Instead of linking to apt-get.org directly, link to a new page "Using
unofficial repositories". That page would contain the following sections:
- You-can-break-you-system-warning. Explaining the risks involved in using
unofficial repositories, explaining the typical reasons why software is not
(yet) included in the official dists.
- Where to get further information and support for unofficial repositories.
Pointing to the various user-lists.
- How to add unofficial repositories to your apt-sources, how to get rid of
them, how to back up the list of your current packages before you start
screwing up your system.
- A link to apt-get.org
- A section "so I screwed up my system, now what?", linking to some info on
resolving broken dependencies and the like.
I think a page like this would be valueable in it's own right. Keep it away
from the sections for total newbies, until you feel it contains enough
information for those newbies to be able to assess the risks of using
unofficial repositories and to be able to reach an educated decision on
whether it's worth to gamble their upgrade-paths for some latest features.
Hope this makes some sense now.
Thomas
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