LinuxMint, Ubuntu, and Automatix

[antiquexray]

I realize that Clem has voiced his opposition to using Automatix, but I, for one, do. Please see this announcement on Distrowatch. What will this mean for Mint and Automatix users in the next release?

http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20070806#news

[Husse]

For one, mintInstall is supposed to do what automatix does, at least to some degree

[scorp123]

Automatix Poses Danger to Ubuntu Installs
http://mjg59.livejournal.com/77440.html

They did an interesting analysis ... and the conclusions are devastating. Automatix is a dirty hack ... and a pretty dirty one at that too. No wonder that the people in the #ubuntu IRC channel totally oppose it.

[clem]

Fair enough, and I actually totally agree with the demonstration but they don't actually help solving the matter. There's obviously a need for something like Automatix, it's fair enough to say don't use it but you need to come with something else.

mintInstall, like Automatix, is far from perfect but it answers that same need. I'd be interested to know what the strategy is regarding this. Will Ubuntu develop its own solution, will they invest time into perfecting mintInstall or Automatix or something else?

I keep telling Mint users not to use Automatix... but not because it sucks, simply because we have something better. If I was to talk to an Ubuntu user which doesn't have mintInstall... I wouldn't tell him not to use Automatix, since that's all he's got.

Plus, a lot of people actually like Automatix and a lot of people use it successfully. So ok it's not well designed and all, but as the number #1 solution for Ubuntu users to install 3rd party applications we have to recognize the fact that it's done a pretty decent job.

So in brief. I agree with the points and the argumentation. I agree with the fact that Automatix is not an ideal solution. I don't like when people use it under Mint, especially now that mintInstall is here, but we have to acknowledge the fact that it still brings features that users need and can't easily find anywhere else.

Let's build alternatives instead of just telling people not to use it.

Clem

[antiquexray]

...Automatix, is far from perfect but it answers that same need. I'd be interested to know what the strategy is regarding this.

You're speaking to my concern now. I love Mint, and have been using almost exclusively, in part, with the help of Automatix (I've never had a problem with Automatix). Unfortunately, I will continue to need some of the services of an Automatix, an EasyUbuntu, etc., to continue my current level of use of LinuxMint, so I hope there are, or will be, other options in the not to distant future.

[newW2]

clem said:

Fair enough, and I actually totally agree with the demonstration but they don't actually help solving the matter. There's obviously a need for something like Automatix, it's fair enough to say don't use it but you need to come with something else.

Just one more great example of why I support, promote, and use Mint.

I used Automatix when I first started using Linux (Ubuntu). It was a good solution for the absolute nOOb with limited time to learn.

Automatix and other third party apps may ultimately be responsible for retention of new / casual users of Linux. And the Linux community in general needs to get the causal user involved in the promotion of Linux (Mint of course ). To get them involved, these users may need something that makes it easy to load that codec, etc. When it is easy they talk about how easy Linux is. Learning the CLI, will come next, but searching out how-to instructions, editing config files ,etc. while you listen to your favorite music makes it much more enjoyable.

[Alucard-sama]

I used automatix on 2 different installs (one Ubuntu and one Mint) and it completely fcuked them both up.
I reinstalled them numerous times and the same problems kept arising (messed up sources.list, my partitions reading wrong, etc.), I'm not sure HOW automatix messed them up but as soon as I did another fresh install and DIDN'T install automatix these problems have ceased.

[Boo]

Remember Ubuntu will soon be using CnR from Linspire.

this is supposed to be the answer to automatix/mintInstall....

[Husse]

@ Alucard-sama
so your strange size and fuse problems are over?
Sorry I did not follow it up but old threads sink so fast down the list of my posts ....

[hairy_Palms]

ive been trying the freespire cnr plugin,

if you want to try it add this line to synaptic

Code: Select all

deb http://apt2.freespire.org/CNRUbuntu skipjack-feisty main #Freespire

beware just install cnr-client as it will want to upgrade a load of codecs, which may cause no problems but i didnt wanna risk it.

[linuxviolin]

Automatix Poses Danger to Ubuntu Installs

I am in full agreement with this opinion. I will not advise anybody, even a Ubuntu user or a beginner (who maybe will not be able to repair his/her install in case of problem) , to use this "thing".