Howdy

Now i was wondering, is it possible to install software from source using the GUI alone?

Before we start the insults (ok, us here on this forum are sophistimacated enough not to do that), this is for study more than me wanting to butcher shell usage.

Decompressing the code, yes, can be done.
./configure ... should be doable
make - Compiling the code, presumably using an IDE or something (never tried so not sure) should work
running the install using "make install" ... now this i have problems with, can that be done?

Could anyone point to a GUI only (ie no use of the console in any way, shape or form) install of any of the Kernel sources? or any other program from source alone?

Any input'd be appreachiated.

I think this is what you're looking for :-D

http://kconfigure.sourceforge.net/

su to root then do make install from that directory.

whats wrong with installing the kernel from the console? just wget ur sources from kernel.org, unpack them to /usr/src then use make menuconfig to configure it, then compile it and copy the kernel over to /boot.

My question is: why would you want to? The command line rocks and is infinitely preferable over a gui for doing things like compiling stuff.

I'm doing HCI research and, in short whilst i'm biased in favour of CLI with some nice modelled outcomes, i need to compare the two UI unbiased, and so ... yes.

There is nothing wrong with the console, but novice users prefer the GUI, and from some of the models i've done, quite rightly, since it beats CLI by 200% in terms of speed. for expert users, this changes dramatically in favour of the CLI.

So i agree, CLI roxx , but i can't base my research on anecdotal evidence.

Thanks for the kconfigure link. I'd like to keep this going for a while, the forum i mean, so if anyone has any other input, please let's hear it

Thanks again

Personally, I don't understand the CLI for everything approach. It seems just as bigoted as the GUI-only paradigm. There's certain tasks which are done more efficiently graphically, and some through the command line, it all just depends.

Compiling an app is one task that is probably best to do on the command line. As kconfigure illustrates, there are some benefits (i.e selecting configuration arguments with the click of a mouse), but if something goes wrong it's nice to be able to work with the filesystem, edit a Makefile, all from the same interface, in which case a command line is best to have. Also, I personally believe someone who doesn't want to work with a command line, shouldn't be trying to compile an app, as potentially it may require some knowledge of software development, even if only in the abstract. Considering the number of alternative binary installation methods, a n00b shouldn't have to mess with source.

As far as the GUI, there are obvious benefits. Only a command-line nazi lunatic would claim that editing images (i.e The Gimp) is best done via CLI. Many other tasks are more efficient to some degree graphically, such as audio processing (recording, editing, mixing, etc.), 3D design, web browsing, simple file management (i.e drag-n-drop files to an sftp server via Konqueror, not more complex tasks utilizing find, grep, etc.).

Basically, I think it's ridiculous to think one paradigm should be picked to the complete abandonment of the other. They both have there place, and I'd venture to say they'll continue to exist in some form in the future. Just look at Star Trek: In addition to the holodeck (which is underused in my opinion), they still have graphical panels (GUI), and an AI voice interface (basically, a verbal command line). I think in the future the two will continue to co-exist in the same manner. Hopefully mentioning TNG hasn't completely invalidated my points :-D.

i agree, CLI is definitely NOT suitable for everything

now i did initial approximations, trying to justify this as a research area, and did this using kuser vs useradd + passwd

the number of steps on the command line is greater (more keystrokes).

BUT

if you attach time figures to this (based on research) it's established that the CLI is MUCH faster.

but there are many tasks were CLI just doesn't perform. browsing the web is one ... sure there is lynx, but must of us look for images.

I read comics, can't do that in lynx