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Re: [PLUG] apt-get / rpm freshmeat article
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On Sun, 17 Sep 2000, mg wrote:
> The logical end of this path is windows-like environment where
> plaintext config files are gone and flashy frontends and wizards are the
> only way to get something done. As LeRoy pointed out this is just fine
> until you need to do something that the frontend never though anyone would
> ever have to do.
Umm... if you build a graphical fronteend to something, that doesn't
eliminate the under-lying config file. A well-written frontend will deal
with direct changes to the config file.
> It also keeps the user from really learning how things
> work. I have gained an invaluable amount of knowledge from having to dig
> through config files and man pages in order to get things done. I think
> back and wonder if I would have gained the same knowledge if all of the
> nice frontends to things that exist today existed back when I started
> learning linux. I dont think I would have. I might know how to get things
> done but I dont think I would have the intimate knowledge of various
> pieces of software (or even protocols) that I do now.
>
> That being said, I realize that there are many people these days using
> linux who dont want or need to learn every nook and cranny of the
> system.
Actually, it's more a matter of there are people that are interested in
using Linux to do real work. When you need to use a system for real work,
you are most interested in learning about those facets that are pertinent
to the work you are trying to accomplish.
> That's fine but as LeRoy also pointed out this leads to an
> insecure machine. This is a problem that lies with the distribution in my
> opinion but that's a whole new issue.
You know, this attitude kind of offends me (hey, I haven't gotten offended
here for a while; I'm entitled). And no, MG and LeRoy, I don't mean you
two specifically. There seems to be this elitist attitude that if you use
primarily package-managed systems (especially if they're Red Hat based),
that you don't understand your system or that it's inherently insecure.
As someone who uses Red Hat derived distributions (Red Hat and Mandrake),
especially a Mandrake system for a corporate firewall, I find this
insulting. I know what my system's insecurities are (not 100%, I'm due to
graze Mandrake's update page to update packages, but you get the point).
The point of a package-managed system that frequently gets overlooked is
to give you a functional system with minimal work.
Also, about text config files versus graphical interfaces and wizards: for
95% of the work you need to do, a GUI and/or wizard better than a text
file. A GUI provides up-front error checking, provides rational defaults
(not just up front, but also in response to configuration changes), and
presents the necessary configuration information in an organizaed,
understandable, and non-overwhelming manner. Obviously, this assumes a
properly designed interface. It also does NOT obviate the information
being stored in a text config file.
Michael W. Ryan, MCP, MCT | OTAKON, Video Operations
mryan@netaxs.com | Convention of Otaku Generation
http://www.netaxs.com/~mryan/ | http://www.otakon.com/
No, I don't hear voices in my head;
I'm the one that tells the voices in your head what to say.
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