Re: project status

David Longo wrote:
> Chris,
> I am not a joe user, I understand Linux, programming, Gentoo, etc.  I
> have been using Linux for...6 years...programming for around 8, and am
> planning on using Gentoo for a long, LONG time.  I love it as much as
> anyone and hope that it doesn't become Mandrake bullshit.  However, I
> am also a student, an admin, a researcher, etc.  I don't always have
> time to sit and go through config files.  It would be VERY nice if
> there were config tools on the GUI side.  Things can't always live in
> a shell.  And btw, mainstream is a thing to look for because more
> users = more feedback = more contribution.  So i understand if you are
> coding the distro for yourself, but I think I speak for many people
> when I say that most code for the progression of the community. i.e.
> Linux.  I am forced to use Windows on my main computer right now
> because of the program support (i.e. OpenOffice is just not where I
> would like it to be right now), and the ease of use (i.e I can plug
> something in and it works, i.e. I can plug in a second monitor and
> have it magically work, etc). I understand what you are saying, but
> there are times when a system has to just work, and I love the way
> gentoo works, but sometimes it doesn't just work.  Auto hardware
> integration, and config file editing, etc. is extremely necessary. 
> Maybe not in a way that takes away from more functional development,
> but as a supplement.  Ok, end of rant.

Chris never said that there would never be any GUI configuration editing tools. 
As a matter of fact, there are stirrings of a project getting started to do just 
that. What he did say is that we (as a distro) will never do anything because 
everyone else does it, to gain more users, to make money, etc. That's not what 
Gentoo is about.

This installer was started with *only* automated deployment, kickstart-ish 
installs in mind, not to make it easier to install Gentoo and "bring it to the 
masses". It just happened that it would be pretty easy to do normal user 
installs also due to the way it was designed.

-- 
Andrew Gaffney
Gentoo Linux Developer
Installer Project