Why do certain distros have a reputation of being difficult to use or install

frieza · 10-04-2013, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sumguy

Give me a good GUI and I can figure-out almost anything; and do almost anything. Some of these modern distros are now to that point- and since using the GUI is so much easier and more intuitive/requires little or no research/memorizing commands, and allows me to accomplish things so much faster, I'm re-evaluating the idea of learning to be proficient with CLI. I kind of see it like texting: Why type out written messages on a tiny keypad when yolu're holding a PHONE in your hand and could just TALK to the person? [This I will NEVER understand!]

meh, to each their own i guess, though i wouldn't re-evaluate the idea of being proficient with cli just yet, it isn't going anywhere, unless of course you aren't planning on a career in Linux

not to start another 'command line vs gui' debate, but some tasks can't be done efficiently via gui, that and command line is text, it takes up much less resources and far less network overhead to run a command line than it does a gui, which is why your huge server farms usually don't have GUIs installed.

at least however the average user doesn't have to spend time learning commands just to USE the computer though, that WOULD be impractical

as for text messaging? well there are times when someone might have time to glance at a quick message and type out a quick respone rather than talk, or if the person doesn't have time to reply immediately, the message can sit in their inbox until they have time to read it and reply, you can't do that with a phone call.

brianL · 10-04-2013, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suicidaleggroll

I don't have the time to spend 3 hours trying and failing to install a web browser, Googling, finding walkthroughs that also fail, finding other walkthroughs that work, but follow the most ridiculously unintuitive process imaginable that doesn't teach you a thing about Linux or how you would do it on any other distribution. Multilib support is laughable, a package management system without dependency resolution is equally laughable, etc.

When did you try Slackware? 1995?

Sumguy · 10-04-2013, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frieza

meh, to each their own i guess, though i wouldn't re-evaluate the idea of being proficient with cli just yet, it isn't going anywhere, unless of course you aren't planning on a career in Linux

not to start another 'command line vs gui' debate, but some tasks can't be done efficiently via gui, that and command line is text, it takes up much less resources and far less network overhead to run a command line than it does a gui, which is why your huge server farms usually don't have GUIs installed.

at least however the average user doesn't have to spend time learning commands just to USE the computer though, that WOULD be impractical

True- I am intrigued by the CLI, as it can be efficient and powerful; and can really let one utilize the power of a computer, without a bunch of extraneous software between the user and the system. I really LOVE the idea of that.

The other day I had to up-convert c.1200 MP3 files to a higher bit-rate, so they'd be compatible with my Walkman. I thought I could just Google for a command, and VIOLA[sic], get 'er done.... Well...with me not being proficient at CLI, the instructions I found weren't of much use....and the commands were quite complex. I then discovered a little program called WinFF....downloaded and installed it through Synaptic in about 10 seconds....and with a few clicks, my computer was happily converting MP3 files for the next three hours.

I would have liked to have just been able to type-in a line or two and accomplish the same thing....but for now, the GUI was much more efficient for me. One reason I'd like to be proficient with CLI, is so that I could use some of the geekier distros...in case Debian ever pulls a Ubuntu, and becomes too much like Windows. (Others have assured me that this will not happen...but you never know...)

Quote:

Originally Posted by frieza

as for text messaging? well there are times when someone might have time to glance at a quick message and type out a quick respone rather than talk, or if the person doesn't have time to reply immediately, the message can sit in their inbox until they have time to read it and reply, you can't do that with a phone call.

Two words: Voice mail