On Friday 09 November 2007, Dale wrote: > Neil Bothwick wrote: > > On Fri, 9 Nov 2007 07:21:36 -0500, David Relson wrote: > >> Some efforts were also made with the command line installer. My > >> problem there was typing and overlooking details. If I mistyped > >> something (or forgot to enter needed info) and went on to the next > >> screen, there was no way to go back and correct the mistake/oversight. > > > > There is no command line "installer" just a series of commands to be run > > in a shell. If you miss one, go and do it. Bash doesn't need a back > > button. > > > >> I've not yet updated to the AMD64 version of Gentoo because of the > >> painful memories of the initial installation. > > > > You probably learned a lot from that pain, try it again and you'll > > probably find it much easier. > > And when you are typing in a command, the tab key can be your best > friend. I have found that the tab key can cut a lot of typing and typos > out of the process.
I guess the "go-back" button would be the up arrow which should show you the previous bash command in history. Anyway, my 2c's on this topic: I have used graphic installers. Two days ago I installed SUSE and three days ago I installed Ubuntu for two different users with different needs and preferences. Of course I have been through the Gentoo install handbook a few times. The first two or three installs I had to bootstrap from Stage 1 - ooohhh, I'll get all nostalgic now. :) As it happens I have not installed Gentoo from the ground up for some time now, a stage 4 and a remerge with suitable flags for the new box is all I needed to do the last few times. If the need arises (e.g. a hardened production server) I may wipe the slate clean and perhaps even try the new installer; but thoughts already expressed regarding available memory and speed of installation will probably dominate in my choice of installation method. Either way, by virtue of the fact that I have not yet tried the GUI installer I am not qualified to say much, just an opinion (and a few hypotheses): I can see both sides of the argument and I think that a super slick installer, which does not error out in 9 out of 10 install candidates, *will* attract new users. I also think that when a Gentoo-ified DE/portage pops up a message informing the new user of a number of packages that are ready to be updated (like e.g. MS Windows and Ubuntu do) the new user will probably be comfortable to press a button and launch an emerge process. What I can't see happening - other than bitching in every forum and M/L about borked systems - is the new user readily picking up the pieces when something goes wrong. An underlying basic understanding of portage and Gentoo mechanics is I suggest necessary, for our hypothetical new user. The chosen few will have the will/inclination (and time) to learn, others (the majority) will not. The net effect without some pilot study is difficult to assess, but my guess is that overall it will be negative. The few new users we might gain will be at the cost of significant bad press from the many that we lose. In conclusion, since (from what I hear) Gentoo does not have a slick installer and it definitely does not have a Ubuntu/MS Windows style zero-knowledge(TM) automated update system, I would vote to stay with the Gentoo handbook. Improve that if you wish. Thanks for listening. -- Regards, Mick
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