Re: Basics - Installing Applications

R_at_LF
Date: 08/15/03 

Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2003 15:27:03 +0200

On Fri, 15 Aug 2003 12:31:21 +0000, Juha Kustaa Siltala wrote:

> In article <pan.2003.08.15.10.46.55.791737@home.nl>, R@LF wrote:
>
>> - Most Linux users are "command line" users and expect that the commands
>> are present in the distribution.
>
> Most answers to questions in Linux newsgroups give the solution in shell
> commands, because it's the most generic way and will apply to most/all
> systems. Different distros have different graphical setup programs, but
> the shell commands probably will work.
>
> Of course, newbies tend not to mention their distribution and other system
> information, or they say they have "Linux 9.1" installed on an "Athlon
> box" with an "onboard sound card" :)
>
> In addition, when talking about Samba setup for example, we don't know if
> someone has SWAT installed but we do know they will have a smb.conf file
> on their system. Therefore it's best to talk about this file instead of
> SWAT settings. As for file editing advice, it's best to use vi commands
> because it's likely to be present on every system.
>
> It doesn't mean most users are "command line users" when setting up their
> own systems. It just means giving as generic information as possible, to
> benefit the largest possible number of people. As you say, the it's safe
> to assume that certain "commands are present", while it's useless to talk
> about the Mandrake Control Center or Webmin when we don't know if they're
> there.

While I used Windows (speaking for myself of course) I did not even know
what chipsets / kernel version / logfiles / debug-options / ... (etc.)
were. Most of the time you don't need to know.
If you ask a question in these linux groups, everyone is asking for
distro's, logfiles, installed drivers, etc.
If you don't know how to find these, you don't get a clear answer to your
question (or none at all).
The easiest way - sometimes the only way - to find these is via the
command line. That is my expirience at least.

So, if someone wants to install anything, it's good to know how to check
where the files went and what is required to start/customize the
application. Most of the time, it will NOT magically show up in your menu
like it does in Windows.
When I started with Linux, I could not even check if it wás installed in
the first place. I did not have a clue where to look.
I think, you are in big trouble if you think that it will be the same as
Windows.

My advice is learn how to use the command line first !!
For "most", that will be a new experience.

Rolf

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