OMG!

It is easier to install software on Linux platform than it is in Windows

I didn't register to complain. I registered to post what I thought was a continuing situation with Linux.

In response to registering and voicing my opinion, I was belittled with insults to my intelligence, accused of being a windows user incapable of mastering Linux, and (once again)made to feel that I can not and should not use Linux.

Maybe the problem isn't Linux. Maybe the problem is the many people who insult other people into going back to what I know works.

Here is the scenario:
I installed Suse 10.2 with the goal of creating a caching proxy server with web content filtering.
I chose Squid and DansGuardian as my choice of software.
Neither program had an easy install program.
Neither program ever ran properly.
The project was abandoned after 2 1/2 months of trying.

Now that was just 2 programs that I wanted to get up and running. All I am saying is that to install a program, some automation should exist that makes it function correctly after the installation. In the case of Squid, numerous program choices were available, 95% of which I had no clue what they meant. In the case of DansGuardian, well let's just say that the program never left the stage of ever working at all.

So in conclusion: Please insult me some more. It is what you do best.

Ever try this?

How do you want run a cache server w/o understanding the options and how would that be the fault of the OS you run it on?

Besides you complained about installing software not configuring servers.

Some see it as a continuing situation, and then again others don't. Now days, with many Linux distributions, installing software really is dead easy.

Not all the Linux distributions are the same, my interpretation is that they tend to focus on a set of needs and each distro pleases its user base quite well. I think you are yet to find the Distro you can be most comfortable with.

I haven't used Suse as yet, I pretty much only ever used Debian, Ubuntu and Fedora (I thought Fedora's package management would be similar to Suse's though).

Anyway, both Squid and DansGuardian and most of the components you would use can be installed using Synaptic Package Manager if your using an Ubuntu Linux Distribution, I just checked my Ubuntu "Edgy Eft" version and it has the Squid packages and DansGuardian packages you need listed, so all you would need to do is launch Syanptic Package Manager, mark the desired packages for installation and then click Apply.

Regards,
Greenie

PS: I think you got the bad reception from others here due to your choice of thread title and your opening setence. Probably a few here thought you were trying to troll or something. But if you legitimately seek help, everyone here is always good for help, Iv'e never had any problem getting help, so please try again sometime.

Our members do not usually go out of their way to insult people with a contrary opinion. If you hunt around the General forum, you will see many many posts and threads by people who seem to have registered purely to say "OMG, this linux thing sux0rs!!!". Once you've seen it a few times your fingers just automatically start typing on their own

That said, for new users, it can be tricky to install software. If you do get stuck feel free to ask questions on the boards - saying what you are trying to do, what you have done and what the system isn't doing that you think it should be is usually the best way.

Kudos for responding rather than taking offence and leaving. The issue around installing has been raging since day zero and will probably continue. If you do see problems with an install that you think is down to a dev not recognising that some people are new to all this you can drop them a line - in this case an email to Novell would be the right way to go. Usually, and our members here can confirm this, if you politely drop a dev a line mentioning your experience and ways you think it could be improved you will receive a response. If you get the software via your distro mail them, if you get the software directly from the creator, drop them a line. Many changes in software come about because someone complains and offers ideas for ways to improve it.

Anyway, stick around and soon you too will be insulting people

To greengrocer: Thank you. I'll give it another try. I had tried Ubuntu before and found it lacking. But I'll take your suggestion and look again.

To xavierp: My wife said the same thing. She is a moderator on a pet forum. I'm sorry for stirring the pot so vigorously. I'm just very frustrated over the amount of time I have thrown at this and the lack of reward it has returned. Sorry, again.

To crashmeister: THAT IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! Where was that when I needed it? Thank you!

You all have given me new hope. I'll try again (promise).

http://www.pclinuxos.com//

Try PClinuxOS 2007, it is well suited for windows users. For example, when you run the package manager to install software, if the program reguires dependencies, another dialog box opens, and you click mark button, then apply. THe mark button automatically mark the dependencies for you. After you click apply, the download starts and then it install the program.

http://www.archlinux.org/

Another excellent package manager is pacman from arch linux. It handles dependencies very well.

Just remember linux is not windows. If you come to linux with the mindset of windows, you'll be disappointed. Linux is not for everyone. If you not willing to put effort in learning linux, then I'm afraid you're just wasting your time.

Troll-bait/ramble moved to greener pastures.



Cheers,
Tink

Can't have been too many, debian and all its derivatives have
ready to use packages for those two.

As far as I'm concerned you're just a troll.




Cheers,
Tink

frankly speaking i gave up on mythtv very shortly after i started to install it ...

i donno what is the programs you are trying to install but maybe you can try searching for other similar but simpler software applications ...


.

kmenu>System>Synaptic click on package click install.

Windows>google for program, download program, scan for viruses, click install accept license, remove all the unnecessary spyware/adware the program came with.

Learn to use google properly and any question you may have about linux is answered somewhere.

Most of the top 20 distros on distrowatch have excellent documentation. Take the time to learn how to use linux on a desktop then mess with a server.

Tell me again why us Slackers need dependency checking? I have yet to run into a program that I was unable to run properly just because I didn't have the precious dependency checking. There is a reason why us Slackers don't complain about dependency hell.

There is a reason why knowledgeable Debian users don't complain about it, too. ... Apt.

But that's because the knowledgeable apt-users will
jump through even more hoops than the slacker who
compiles his package by default when they want to
install something that's not in their repos...

Getting xdtv to work on debian (and ubuntu) for instance
is a pain in the proverbial.



Cheers,
Tink

I don't want to actually install it so I ran aptitude -s (simulate)

According to that, it would install flawlessly in a matter of 2 minutes, or so.