Re: *PLEASE READ* Re: Two NetBSDs: from Desktop NetBSD needs your help

[David Brownlee <abs%NetBSD.org@localhost>]

On Mon, 9 Feb 2009, markucz%gmail.com@localhost wrote:

> I guess if those people are technically literate they could just as well
> install the gnome metapackage from pkgsrc, right? AFAIK it installs
> everything it needs to run, X11 included. They don't even have to compile it,
> since there are binary packages (never tried them myself, though, so I'd
> appreciate if someone would share his experience with that) and I suppose
> desktop.tgz just will contain some mix of those.

        I suspect it will install the meta-pkgs/netbsd-desktop package
        which will include gnome and various other packages, but it
        will also configure the X server so it works correctly and
        starts automatically, basically all the manual steps.
        http://wiki.netbsd.se/Desktop_Phase_1#System_installation

> >         By the way, thank you for articulating your main concern -
> >         integrating desktop configuration could impair the base
> >         system, rather than just waving your hands and saying "Bad,
> >         Baaaad!"
>
> It's this part which scares me most - there're horrible examples how flashy
> GUI config tools can screw an otherwise decent OS. The first which comes to
> mind is SuSE's yast.

        Its also the area that concerns me. I assume you'll be watching
        Phase 2 with interest to ensure your concerns are met?

> There's another thing, too. I don't quite like the phrase "Given a NetBSD CD
> and a reasonably modern x86 computer...". What about those who use something
> different than x86?

        Then you will only benefit from some of the changes. If
        you are using a machine which not powerful enough to handle
        the gnome desktop (even a low end x86), then you would need
        to select a different desktop environment. Its quite likely
        the netbsd-desktop install option will only be available
        on i386 and amd64 initially, but quite a lot of the
        infrastructure changes will benefit anyone who chooses to
        install the relevant packages, no matter what arch.

--
                David/absolute       -- www.NetBSD.org: No hype required --