On Tue, 9 May 2000, Steven wrote:
> > to configure PPP interface, because:
> > 1) it is one of hardest tasks in every Linux distribution;
> > there are always some unexpected problems
>
> Linux newbies are always going to have problems, with
> all sorts of things. It's a steep learning curve.
> Point-and-click tools only delay the process.
No. I don't think that all users should learn everything about Linux
configuration files and read all manual pages. But I think that all
Windows users should move to Linux. So Linux has to become more user
friendly - while keeping humand readable configuration files as robust
lower level for system administrators and for easy interaction of
programs.
> > 2) currently all working user-friendly PPP setup tools
> > known are X, or even KDE/GNOME based,
>
> I've only used YAST once (a long time ago) and I think
> it did ppp configuration without X.
I think YAST is part of SuSE or so.
> As a person running Linux on 486s, I am particularly
> interested in this aspect. Linux works well on old
> hardware, but only if you eliminate unnecessary bloat.
> Unfortunately, all the mainstream distributions are
> now bloated with "user-friendly features". As a result,
> the users of old hardware must learn how to strip out
> the bloat and get down to the basic Linux. Such users
> must delve deeply into the man pages and HOWTOs. Such
> users must become proficient in editing startup scripts
> and configuration files.
Or they can be given new distribution, which requires only few MB, and
which is not X based, like Monkey Linux, but which uses Arachne as its
graphical front end ;-) Such distribution can still do many useful things:
view all image formats, play MP3 files in background (unlike DOS), let
users do their text-mode stuff on non-graphical consoles while running
Arachne....
> Therefore, an experienced user of old hardware does
> not need an Arachne setup wizard to configure his ppp.
> He can quite happily do that himself.
But unexperienced user of old harware need some front end which will
introduce them into Linux....
> > 3) I would eventualy like to do special Arachne-based,
> > minimal Linux distribution...
>
> YES! YES! YES!
> I have been promoting this idea for a long time
> (getting thoroughly flamed in the process). Such
> a mini-distribution will be aimed at non-Linux users
> and will definitely require an automated setup for
> everything (including PPP). This will provide a
> no-fuss introduction to Linux Arachne for newbies
> and will enable loyal users of DOS Arachne an easy
> way to try out (and debug) the Linux version.
Yes, so now you understand why Arachne should be able to configure PPP
even graphicaly ;-))))
--
http://arachne.cz/ (Arachne Labs: internet - software - linux - mp3)
