[plug] Installer

[Quintin Lette]

On Mon, 24 Feb 2003 03:46 pm, Dene Staples wrote:
> Hi All
>
> I've just got a bit weary trying to get some programmes going in Linux,
> mainly because of dependencies. Some, like Opera install themselves
> nicely. A couple of critical programmes I wanted to use to stay away
> from Windows I can't get working so I've gone off Linux just lately.
> Felt to weary to deal with the nvidia driver problem that I had asked
> about in another list to date.

Yast online update from SuSE will do this quite easily without hassles.

>
> Nothing new, I know.
>
> Is there some installer standards committee working on this for Linux?
> There are a couple different installer progs on Windows, I've noticed,
> why not for Linux?
>
> What if all  programmers have a bit in their progs which lists the
> earliest (or only) dependencies they work with. The installer reads this
> list and goes to linux depositories, downloads them AND installs them
> along with the programme. 

apt-get install <program-name>

(assuming debian or installation of apt-rpm for non debian systems and having 
the repository setup properly.

> For those not on the net, perhaps some
> linux-based firm in the main population centres could have cd or dvd
> collections to purchase at cost?

Try your local computer shop (unlikely but worth a go), ISP (maybe) or asking 
on the list if anyone can burn you a set of cds and organise with them what 
they'll charge for it.  

>
> It would be handy if the installer also tells you where to go so you can
> start the programme. Drakerpm tries, but what it says doesn't match the
> KDE menu setup. One has to hunt the menus to see if it is there.
> Otherwise, get the console up and type in the name and see if the progy
> pops up. There is no offer to put an icon on the desktop.

This would be more an issue with the packager than the installation system.  
(windows programs don't always do this either) also as different 
distributions use different paths for different things not neccessarily easy 
(unless programs are packaged separately for every distribution) not to 
mention gnome and kde have different paths for stuff. the which command is 
your friend here:

which <program-name> 

then add it to the menu yourself (quite easy)

>
> It seems that a lot of people doing progs for linux assume that everyone
> else loves fiddling with the dos commands in the console etc.

Not neccessarily true, but considering your not paying for the software...

>
> It is no use having marvellous applications if the ordinary end-user
> can't install them. I think Linux would really take off if the ordinary
> person could simply install progs as is now done in Windows.
>
> Dene

Back to my apt-get install statement :)

Regards

Quintin