Distro Ideas -- Consolidation, etc

[Brian Veteran]

On Barney's prodding, I'm finally posting my ideas here in the forum.

I've been speaking with Barney and Crimson and was enlightening them to my ideas for the distro. Currently there are a few version (KDE, GNOME, LIGHT) and my proposal was to combine all of the version into a single dvd (as DVD drives are very prevalent and downloading a DVD sized iso for many people is just cheese stuck to the pot). My thinking was this could be accomplished by just placing all three into the same sort of directories by simply copying and pasting. The common files between the three would be overwritten, those that are different would be kept. If someone knows anything about grub or any kind of bootloader that can run on the disk so that we have a menu, it would be just as simple as picking which one you wanted to boot... KDE GNOME or LIGHT and each version of the live installer should know which files its installing.... Unless it's just copying the whole image... In that case we would have to figure out a way to get Ubiquiti to install just what was required.

Also, I would like to congradulate everyone involved for their efforts, this is an amazing project for the community and seems like at least one place where everyone is coming together. Keep it up! The art is awesome, those that I know on the team do a great job and I look forward to working with all of you

Brian

[markwolfe Veteran]

It's a decision that the Shift Team has to make, but I am rather fond of the idea that a "Lite" user (like myself) can quickly download and burn something small-ish onto a CD, and not need to download the full KDE and Gnome sets.

What you mention is what the Fedora team already does. While I like having one image for all, it does put light users at a disadvantage. Plus, look in various forums, including Neowin, and see how many people criticize Fedora as "bloat" because of the large DVD size needed, as they point to Ubuntu being one CD. Yes, I typically chime in at that point and mention that they are comparing one orange to a basket containing an orange, and apple and a banana (ok, I don't think I have ever used that exact metaphor, but you get the idea ;)).

I'm not a member of the Shift team (just a Linux-using Neowin member who wants to help out where he can), so I don't have a vote on this. Do these things even get "voted" on? :unsure: But just wanted to point out what to expect as far as community comments to the size of the distro.

[Brian Veteran]

My opinion on one disk is that currently there is a lot of selection, especially for the new user... It's almost like the issue that was brought up about Vista having a whole bunch of versions. By using just one install media containing all of that you're making it easier for those that may not know what do with three versions.

[Fish]

My opinion on one disk is that currently there is a lot of selection, especially for the new user... It's almost like the issue that was brought up about Vista having a whole bunch of versions. By using just one install media containing all of that you're making it easier for those that may not know what do with three versions.

But you still have to make that choice, either by downloading the appropriate iso, or in your example, from a menu system during boot/installation.

Choice is good. It's what Linux is all about. Shift should offer a choice, but if there's confusion, then that is something we need to look at. Education. Show the differences and all the pros and cons. Get it all on the Shift website if necessary. Aim to have the best comparison of Desktop Environments on the net. Eliminate the confusion.

I prefer the multiple CD's idea to one DVD. For a start, once you know more about the different DEs, you don't waste time and bandwidth downloading components you don't want (anyway, they're only an apt-get away should you change your mind...) Secondly... I haven't got a DVD writer :D :cry:

[Barney T. Administrators]

Thanks for your idea, Brian. I appreciate that you posted it for us. We definitely want ideas and opinions. We will take up this idea at our next IRC meeting. And thanks also for the kind words! :)

[markwolfe Veteran]

If this is the semi-official Shift "distro ideas" thread, may I add one that just hit me?

Neowin offers all members (even non-subscribers) a special neowin.us email. Can we have Shift set up to access this email for Shift users? I think that (if we use Thunderbird) that a webmail add-in might need to be included.

http://webmail.mozdev.org/

[Commodore Max]

I think Brian's idea is an awesome one. Let me elaborate on it from my side as well ... Why not have a specialized installer that would handle all of the choices. One setup, one Dvd, and then let the user choose exactly what he wants on his install ?

[markwolfe Veteran]

Like Fedora? Or like Debian NetInstall?

[Barney T. Administrators]

I would think we would structure it like Fedora........

[markwolfe Veteran]

As long as there was still a small-sized option for "Lite", because it seems kind of silly to me to offer a "Lite" version, but have a huge iso that includes full KDE and GNOME environments.

[Barney T. Administrators]

As long as there was still a small-sized option for "Lite", because it seems kind of silly to me to offer a "Lite" version, but have a huge iso that includes full KDE and GNOME environments.

Yeah... I don't see why we can't just offer it like we do now. ;)