Re: Reality check! [was: Re: Debian goes big business?]
On Sun, 24 Jan 1999, Marcus Brinkmann wrote:
> On Sat, Jan 23, 1999 at 08:51:25PM +0000, thomas lakofski wrote:
> > OK, since it seems that this kind of thing will probably only happen in a
> > commercial context, maybe it would make sense to arrange commercial
> > sponsorship of Debian in a bigger way.
>
> I think the first part of your sentence is a bit unfair. To make
> installation easier requires hard work. If it would be easy, it would have
I understand the difficulty of the task -- I think it's also fair to say
that because it's not the most glamourous of tasks it might be easier to
attract developers to do it with some funding.
> been long done. The trick is to keep flexibility (and don't tell me SuSE is
> flexibel). Doing it easy for the newbie and configurable for the experienced
> user requires a well though out configuration and administration system. At
> least for multi-installation this is currently developed on the
> debian-admintool list.
It's certainly possible to have ease and flexibility -- the install can
ask you as its' first question whether you want a 'typical install' or
'custom setup'. Since there is no typical install really, some simplified
choice of roles could be presented -- say Desktop, Intranet Server or
Internet Server. Custom setup could then be left as flexible as
necessary.
> Hardware autodetection would be another good thing, but only if implemented
> well and reliable. This does only work with open hardware specifications.
>
> It's not the lack of interest, but the lack of real, skilled contributions
> in this area, which addresses all concerns.
Certainly -- again, maybe it would be easier to attract skilled developers
with some sponsorship.
> Needless to say that any contribution is welcome, be it from volunteers or
> commercial organizations. But let's not drag Debian too deep into agreements
> with commercial contributors. If you can convince a company to write a good
> installation procedure, I am sure nobody will neglect it, provided it is
> technically convincing. Debian does make decisions on technical grounds, and
> I would not like to see this changed.
I was thinking that the contributions would be financial (rather than
code) to existing developers (or similarly-minded new ones) so that they
could concentrate more on Debian development and still be able to earn a
living.
rgds,
-tl
......
please forgive my abrupt ending hre - but my conection is
xtrememleyyhiclmelyey BAD hiccuppy etc must sign off -
EF D8 33 68 B3 E3 E9 D2 C1 3E 51 22 8A AA 7B 98
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