🚀 go-pugleaf

It's 28 Nov 97  14:18,
We'll return to dmiller@hades.projectx.com.au and All's
discussion of Linux Distribution

 dm> : The two examples I gave highlight proprietary features of RedHat
 dm> : packages as encountered in ``comp.os.linux.x'' and on the ``fvwm
 dm> : mailing list''.  The generic news group and mailing list support
 dm> does : not work there anymore, and users are dependent on RedHat's
 dm> support.
 dm> Can you be more specific as to the exact problems you have seen?

 dm> RedHat's mailing lists are free. If RedHat was to go the way of the
 dm> dinosaur tomorrow, their distribution is still free.

And besides, if, for some reason a .rpm didn't work, there's nothing
stopping you installing from .tar.gz files, like we all have in the
past.  Just because Red Hat and Debian offer package management, doesn't
mean you're forced to use it (personally, I think it's a great idea).

 dm> need to :   know anything.  Everything will be done for you.  The xyz
 dm> distribution :   is so good that you can stay completely computer
 dm> illiterate while :   getting at least some use out of the system.''

 dm> Why? The Apple Mac has been doing just that for nearly 14 years, do
 dm> you think that doing this under Linux is fundamentally impossible?

More importantly, what is wrong with an easy to install system?  Just
because sysadmins should be able to perform a complex installation
doesn't that they should actually have to do this all the time.

 dm> I agree that users should understand how to install software, but to
 dm> expect for (say) my mother to compile her wordprocesser from a .tgz is
 dm> patently ridiculous.

 dm> Nor should she have to rely on a third party (who will most likely
 dm> charge) to run her machine for her.

 dm> The compromise is, of course, package management.

Agreed, this makes perfect common sense to me.  I have access to package
management, and will use it.  However, that does not stop me from
grabbing a .tar.gz file and installing it by hand if I choose to for
whatever reason.

... Nobody EXPECTS the Spanish Inquisition!
--
| Fidonet:  Tony Langdon 3:632/367.2
| Internet: tlang@freeway.DIALix.oz.au
|
| Freeway Internet Gateway, Melbourne, Australia.  For information about
| our services and conditions of use, e-mail:
| info@freeway.DIALix.oz.au, to receive a copy of the FAQ.