Re: VI, standards, politics and all that

["Bud Beckman" <n7su@micron.net>]

From: Andrew Wood

>That's true. I was thinking from the point of view of writing new docs
>though...


Think I mentioned there is a group wanting to do that, I don't have the
web page, but I bet someone does.


>> >Don't assume that the user knows what X is.
>>
>> Or how to install it.
>
>Since I don't use any distribution I don't know what the "usual" way is,
but
>installing X from source is really easy. Extract the archive, "make
World",
>"make install" and that's about it (if I remember correctly).


You are talking about an experienced Linux user, using the source. The
distribution usually installs the latest x86 release. Jean may correct
me, but he is working for auto detecting video cards.

>A decent X editor which looked something like Notepad would be ideal. .
. .

I agree.

>> An easily configurable ppp would do wonders. Problem is not all ISPs
are
>> the same. I don't know how to get around this.
>
>Microsoft seem to manage with their dial-up system.

For me, my ISP furnished the script for MS Windoze.

>I might have a go at
>programming something like the Microsoft "Dial Up Networking" thing,
where
>if you're lucky you only have to enter the phone number of your ISP. If
>you're unlucky you also have to enter gateway IPs, DNS servers, and the
like
>as well.


Again most ISPs will send a disk to the new subscriber to take care of
all that, I am only familiar with mine.


>Is there not a GUI like this already around for Linux? What is kppp
like?

I am real happy with it, it lets you enter the script you need to log in,
takes care of the IP address you are assigned and will stop the ppp
process. Lets you also watch the log in process to see if all is well and
will give you a description of what may be wrong on your end it you do
not get logged on to the ISP.


>Someone mentioned wxppp or something as well? Or do all of these assume
you
>know what PPP means, for a start - ie they're still "technical user"
level?


Getting connected to the Internet seems to be the second thing a new
Linux user tries to accomplish, after getting a GUI that works.

There is ezpp, diald, wvdial and xisp, the latter being a GUI similar to
kppp.


>
>Exactly - like the HOWTOs, but even simpler and for simpler tasks.
>
>I would envision a small app on the desktop with a little box for
entering
>queries in, and a drop-down box selecting what kind of question you're
>asking:
>
>  * How Do I..?
>  * What Does <something> Mean..?
>
>You then type your query, it searches the database, and pops up a viewer
>containing the matches - perhaps using Netscape or something to allow
the
>documentation to be in HTML.


KDE desktop does a good job once you start using it for help topics. It
looks at text as well as HTML.


>If people agree that this is a good idea (and it's not Been Done
Before),
>then I will start programming it and also start collecting questions and
>answers for its database.


If you can, look at KDE.


>PS - Bud, you were talking about programming a little and getting
negative
>     responses or requests for additions, and having to go through 1000
>     lines of code. Think yourself lucky to get any response - I don't
>     usually get any response at all, and one of my projects that DOES
get
>     suggestions is around 17000 lines of code :(
>     Feel better now? ;)


Yes, I do. I also admire your skill, what little I have done lets me know
how hard it is to get what you want so it is a usable program.

I knew my measly 1000 or so lines was not much.

Bud
>
>