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Rationale
When a newbie have a *.tar.gz file, and need to install it, can have problems with it.
I know it's very easy, but typing "./configure", "make install" is terrible for new linux users.
I suggest to make simple, easy install wizard, that automatically extracts and compiles source from tar.gz and (of course) shows needed questions. It could be launched fe. by clikcking right a tar.gz file and chhosing "Easy install wizard".
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116
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150
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34
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steve196
wrote on the 17 Apr 08 at 12:09
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Good findable documentation of this would be better and more flexible than a wizard.
The problem is, the command make && make install is the installation command for most but not for all of these packages
But for the general idea: +1
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Auzy
wrote on the 17 Apr 08 at 12:45
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I should also added, there are so many different compilation methods, theres no generic way of doing a wizard, unless you have a massive DB of exceptions to go with it
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Newbies? I'm no wizard, but I don't think I'm a n00b either, and I know I'd use this!
However, it does not and cannot exist. "./configure; make; make install" often is precisely what you need to do, but far from always. You could implement it for that common case, but I think you would be doing the user a disservice.
Voted no.
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coryg
wrote on the 17 Apr 08 at 14:50
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Due to compiling dependencies, the success rate for this would be terribly low.
If developers are wanting convenient/easy installation for their users, they have deb packages.
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vexorian
wrote on the 17 Apr 08 at 17:03
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The install from source process should be as difficult for newbies as possible.
Newbies should be using .deb files, seriously. tar.gz packages are usually too new versions of software that is otherwise too stable, or are software that's not tested on ubuntu, etc. newbies should stay away of those things.
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Crandom
wrote on the 17 Apr 08 at 18:21
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Let the n00bs use debs - they are easier and more stable. Perhaps a link to the documentation about how it install from source if a ./configure if found would be a better options, and STRESS the importance and dependencies, how using apt is better and the advanced nature of this.
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I love this idea and wanted it since day one (along with the other options we have now) +1 for you.
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Warbo
wrote on the 17 Apr 08 at 22:10
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+1 This would be very nice.
Not a wizard though, wizards suck. Something like Gdebi would be nice. MUST use something like checkinstall to make debs though. No filesystem cluttering.
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swegner
wrote on the 17 Apr 08 at 23:54
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I disagree with this idea. Compiling and installing from source is kind of "advanced" for a reason-- there are a lot of dependencies and options that need to be taken care of with each individual install. Configure options need to be specified that are unique to each situation. Not all installers have a similar install, so this is hard to predict.
For "newbies", they should probably stick to installing .deb's. I think a prerequisite for compiling from source is to really *know* what it means to compile from source.
A better idea is to increase the number of packages in the Ubuntu repositories, and work on keeping them up-to-date, so users don't need to compile from source.
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This is the way it has been on Unices for years, like swegner said, its an advanced process for a reason. Also, the Ubuntu repositories are massive, holding almost any packages you want, if not try http://www.getdeb.net/
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-1
Having been a Slacker for most of my Linux career, I can guarantee that there are far too many source packages out there that will not install correctly or worse, will corrupt your system because they're poorly designed.
While I did write a script for myself to simplify compilation and creation of Slackware .tgz packages, I never, NEVER, automated the installation.
If this were to be implemented, I predict a host of Trojan Horse tar.gz files to install malware/spyware, or to perform "rm -rf /".
Besides, these novices would first have to install all the -dev packages for this "wizard" to work.
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Auzy
wrote on the 21 May 08 at 16:41
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People who voted for and against this should consider my implementation at http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/8904/
It makes it easy for developers to make compiling (as well as anything else on a file that isn't packaged with deb or RPM) easy for users.
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There's a great BLUEPRINT for this. Where is it?
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