a follow up - the subject of easier installs just happened to ./

[Gabriel Phoenix <gabrieltalks sympatico ca>]

First I don't believe Ximain, *itself* is the solution since it is
sub-distribution of Redhat, that is, it is not always compatible. This I
learned from personal experience. Yet, Ximain does show there is a valid
need for easier installation. Once again I believe it should be
fundamentally incorporated into the rpm program concept than implemented
at the distro level. Why? Ximain binaries are not always compatible with
other distros. This will only result in more "branching".


As for the article

http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=02/07/14/1540226

I want to bring your attention to the discussion. Notice there is a
clear 9:1 vote for "easier installation" - I equate that with a *valid*
need.


and the best quote is...

----
I run a Mandrake box. My wife has on OS X laptop. No point for guessing
which system is easier to install new software on (hint - it's not the
one that has an AMD inside).

I love Linux. I love GNU. I love open source software.

But my next machine will be a Mac.Why?

Because package management is a breeze. I don't have to know the
difference between /bin, /sbin, /usr/bin. Because I can drag a program
I'm tired of to the trash can.. Because I can go to one location - the
Applications folder - to find any new program I install. Or, if it's a
command-line app, I can go to one location - /bin - for everything.

If the open source community wants to know how break into the desktop
market, look no further than Mac OS X. Whether you like the system or
not, in OS X is a *nix system that has a highly user friendly interface,
excellent graphic-based package management, and all the other bells and
whistles that the mass desktop market craves.
----


The bigger picture? Business 101 - the more people who use Linux the
more resources will be dedicated towards it. I will spell that out -
resources equate to more programmers, more development, more drivers,
more software, more press, and even more games. Business 101 - that
simple.


Thank you for your time, Gabriel Phoenix.