[prev in list] [next in list] [prev in thread] [next in thread] 

List:       mandrake-cooker
Subject:    Re: [Cooker] rpmsrate & task-kde discussion: default KDE desktop
From:       Ric <fhj52.info () gmail ! com>
Date:       2007-02-13 4:25:15
Message-ID: 200702122225.15554.fhj52.info () gmail ! com
[Download RAW message or body]

On Monday, 12 February 2007 16:10, Frederik Himpe wrote:
> I did a Cooker installation last week (both KDE and Gnome desktops),
> and I have some comments about the choice of applications which were
> installed by default. I have strongly the impression that rpmsrate
> does need some serious clean-up, to reflect the state of applications
> today.
>
> Anyway, here are my comments about KDE applications which were
> installed by default.
>
> 1. In a default KDE applications, there are at least 3 different
> picture viewers installed (4 if you also count Digikam/Showfoto).
> This is really too much:
> kdegraphics-kuickshow (task-kde)
> kdegraphics-kview (rpmsrate)
> gwenview (rpmsrate)
> digikam (rpmsrate: digikamimageplugins kipi-plugins)
>

At least kview is needed for viewer in krusader as well as embedded in 
konq. kuickshow does not work for some bmp and should be *last* on list 
of possibles if it must be kept. My 2cents: drop kuickshow and keep 
kview.


> Please only keep gwenview and digikam: they are the only ones which
> are being actively maintained, and have the best features and user
> interfaces.
>
> Reported also in Bugzilla:
> http://qa.mandriva.com/show_bug.cgi?id=27179
>
> 2. kdenetwork-ksirc (dependency of task-kde): the development of this
> IRC-client seems halted for some years already, and does not have the
> best interfaces/features. Please drop it from the default install. If
> an IRC client has to be installed, install konversation (which should
> be moved to main).

my 2 cents: don't install any by default but make the user choose during 
install by *asking*  'Do you want an IRC(Internet Relay Client)? Please 
choose the one(s) you want:  blah.' 
I don't use any 'cause my personal experience with about a half-dozen 
makes me ill to just think about it and because they are now and always 
have been the most insecure aps.  (well, next to IE of course...)
However, I was going to have chatzilla with seamonkey on disk just in 
case I am forced into IRC. Sadly Seamonkey died shortly after birth. 
Perhaps a blessing in disguise...


> 3. kover (rpmsrate): application is dead for about 3 years, and is
> not rated very high
> (http://www.kde-apps.org/content/show.php?content=9968). People are
> better of using something like Scribus, Karbon or OOo Draw to make
> their cd covers (e.g.
> http://www.kde-files.org/content/show.php?content=24223 -
> http://www.kde-files.org/content/show.php?content=25107)

-1, unless there is a specific plugin to handle CD/DVD covers for one of 
the others.
This should be dependent on printer being attached too. No printer, no 
install. Seems like I said that about CUPS a long time ago ...


> 4. kdegames & kdetoys: They were installed, although I did not choose
> the games category. Maybe because in CAT_DEVELOPMENT there is
> libkdegames1-devel with priority 5 or because of Suggests tag in
> task-kde package. Please make sure games are not installed if I don't
> choose games in the installer.

+1 ( User should pick... *games.) 
-1 kdetoys;  kdetoys are not all *toys* (kteatime keep me from 
rubberizing eggs cuz I always get busy and forget them in cooker) 
kdetoys was not installed by default here on 2007.0.


> 5. kdepim-kpilot (rpmsrate in CAT_KDE, but don't forget
> libkdepim2-kpilot-devel in CAT_DEVELOPMENT): I do not have a Palm
> Pilot (probably like the majority of people). Don't install it by
> default, but only if one is detected.

-1
 I have no use for it but I had no use for digikam either. Then I did 
and it was nice to have OS/KDE recognize the digital camera, popup 
window and load digikam to get the pics.  I suspect *Pilot folks would 
be same. Being detected during install is not likely scene. 


> 6. kdebase-kdeprintfax and kdegraphics-kfax (rpmsrate : I do not have
> a fax on my computer (probably like majority of people): please
> install it only if such a device is found.

-1
Only install if required device is found s/b SOP but ithink is wishful 
thinking.  I think it is much harder to do than it sounds or would have 
been done by now.  It does not apply here.
Your compurter _is_ a fax machine; you do not have to have external 
hardware. I have not used those aps but they should work just as well 
for computer fax as they would for a piece of deskspace sucking 
hardware. 


> 7. kdeutils-kdf (rpmsrate): is this still really useful? Disk usage
> can be seen easily from Konqueror, while mounting is done
> automatically.

+1 Never used here(7 years).
Why? It is inflexible(still):
#> kdf -k
kdf: Unknown option '-k'.

It's pretty though ... might be needed an embedded display in another 
ap.


> 8. kdeaccessibility: while this program can be useful, even
> necessary, for some people, it is not to lots of other people. As the
> same problem happens in Gnome, I would propose to create a seperate
> category in the installer, which the user can check or uncheck,
> depending on his needs.

-1
This separate category should not happen. Accessibility needs to be well 
enough integrated into the system that it will not be noticed by those 
who do not need it and easy to access by those who do.  God forbid that 
someone who needs it gets an install done for them and that person 
forgets to look for or does not see the accessibility category.  
I do believe *all* accessibility widgets should be off by default. This 
sticky key pop up thing in the middle of my fullscreen display has got 
to go ...


> So, these are my most imporant comments. I have similar comments
> about the default Gnome installation, and other desktop-irrelevant
> packages, but these will have to wait tomorrow.

I have to say that if those are the only ''important''  install issues, 
MDV is doing good!   /me will find out tomorrow, maybe.

-- 
 «- » ..::..F.H.J..::..  «- »
Linux Registered User 212962. Please Register at: 
http://counter.li.org/ .
Get Folding now with MDK Team # 12501: 
http://vspx27.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/main.py?qtype=teampage&teamnum=12501
Mandriva 2007.0+1 x86_64 for Dual AMD Opteron 64 bit.

[prev in list] [next in list] [prev in thread] [next in thread]