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List:       kde-bugs-dist
Subject:    Bug#10102: Doco on how to install KDE 2.0 : for the rest of us dummies?
From:       paul.c.leopardi () ac ! com
Date:       2000-09-07 1:29:28
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Package: kdebase
Version: kde1.93


Hi,
Does anyone have any plans to create an "Idiots Guide to Installing KDE
2.0" or a "KDE 2.0 Installation for Dummies" somewhere on
http://www.kde.org in time for the big KDE 2.0 release party?


I currently use SuSE Linux 6.4 with KDE 1.1.2 and am thinking of upgrading
to KDE 2.0 when it is available. I was seriously thinking of downloading
"Kooldown" (AKA 2.0 Beta 4, AKA KDE 1.93) but I am put off by the lack of
simple, up to date installation documentation on the web site. Are the
following two pages all there is? Are they as simple as possible, accurate
and up to date? It looks like they were last updated in May.
http://www.kde.org/install-binaries.html
http://www.kde.org/kde1-and-kde2.html
I have seen more information on the dos and don'ts of installation on the
mailing lists. But this looks rather complicated. Anything involving
compilation or hunting down dependencies will potentially scare dummies
like me away.

What I would like to see is:
(1) how to find the right set of RPMs or other binaries which will work
first time in 90%+ of cases,
(2) what to do if you find yourself in the unlucky <10% of more complex
installations,
(3) how to run both KDE 1.1.X and KDE 2 and switch between the two,
documented simply and accurately for my distribution - with downloadable
scripts, including scripts which will ***safely*** and correctly edit my
config files.

I know that if I wait for SuSE Linux 7.X, it will give me an easy way to
install KDE 2.0.Y straight from the CD, using Yast 2.Z. But I can't wait
that long.

Maybe I should try installing KDE 1.93 and write my own doco?

Some details:

I believe that the documentation provided by the web page

http://www.kde.org/install-binaries.html
is out of date and inaccurate. It needs to be updated before KDE 2.0
launches. Additionally, the documentation on this page and at
http://www.kde.org/kde1-and-kde2.html is very complicated for a novice user
used to installation instructions like:

1. Insert CD

2. Click on "Install"

3. Have a nice day



Again, what I would like to see is installation documentation for each set
of binaries, based on distribution and version. For example, I have SuSE
Linux 6.4, so I would read the KDE 2.0 installation instructions for SuSE
Linux 6.4.

These instructions would contain all of the assumptions valid for SuSE
Linux 6.4, eg. I am likely to have already installed KDE 1.1.2. The
instructions would contain all of the most likely scenarios (eg. I never
did use KDE even though I have it, or I did use KDE 1.1.2 but want to
deinstall it, etc.)

Additionally, the instructions would come with scripts which automate most
or all of the process, from the initial download to safely updating any
configuration files. Ideally, I would like to download one script, answer
at most a few questions and have the script do all the intelligent stuff.
Quite like my 3 step instructions above.

More details:

For the moment I'll leave aside KDE 1.1.2 and just talk about KDE 2.0. The
release schedule originally posted in May implied that there would be 4
betas (KDE 1.90 to 1.93) and if all went well, KDE 2.0 would be released in
September. See http://lists.kde.org/?l=kde-core-devel&m=95746896206145&w=2

I have made a few assumptions and I now want to make these explict to give
you a chance to explain to me which of my assumptions is wrong and why.

1. The release schedule has not been significantly revised except for a few
weeks slippage, otherwise we would have been notified.

2. This means that KDE 1.93 is the last Beta before KDE 2.0, or at least a
"late Beta test."

3. There has been a freeze on new functionality such that KDE 1.93 does not
have significant new functionality in comparison to KDE 1.91 or KDE 1.92.

4. There are enough people testing KDE 1.90 to KDE 1.93 to make these
worthwhile Beta tests, which means that KDE 1.90 to KDE 1.92 tested most of
the software.

5. In particular, KDE 1.93 contains only a low proportion of untested
software.

6. When a development organization releases software for late Beta test,
they usually release it in a form as close as possible to the final
product.

7. In particular any installation documentation, methods or scripts are
usually included with late Betas.



Given these assumptions, I came to the conclusion that the installation
documentation, methods and scripts that will come with KDE 2.0 are missing.

There are then at least 5 unlikely possibilites:

1. The developers forgot about installation, or

2. KDE 2.0 will be released with untested installation documentation,
methods and scripts, or

3. The difference between installing from CD or from FTP is so great that
no meaningful test is possible, or

4. There will be a KDE 1.94 before the final release which will contain
tests for installation, or

5. Each distribution will need to do its own testing of the installation
documentation, methods and scripts.



Which of my 7 assumptions is wrong and why?

Which of these 5 possibilities do you see as most likely, or is there a 6th
possibility that I'm not seeing?



See also a related thread in KDE User List:
http://lists.kde.org/?t=96819707500003&w=2&r=1

Thanks

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