(Yesterday, 08:20 AM)threadbare Wrote: Would it be possible to improve the Linux Lite user experience by introducing a more centralized system for managing optional software, updates, security tools, and common desktop settings, while still keeping the lightweight philosophy of Linux Lite?
For example, could Lite Software eventually provide clearer categories, better descriptions, compatibility information, and an indication of whether an application is recommended for beginners or intended for more advanced users? It might also be useful to have a simple way for users to see which optional components are installed, which ones can safely be removed, and whether installing certain packages could introduce duplicate applications or unnecessary dependencies. At the same time, how would the development team balance these additional features against Linux Lite's goal of remaining fast and simple, particularly for users running older hardware? Would a modular approach, where these improvements remain completely optional rather than becoming part of the default installation, be a reasonable direction for future releases?
Hi!
I'm not Jerry, but I can tell you that kind of task is almost impossible to fulfill.
You can see for yourself the Synaptic Package manager. There are thousands of packages without a clear description. Many of them, lack a clear description even on developers' site. So considering this aspect, filling the missing info, would require at least ten people working full time just to do this. For how long? Indefinitely, if you ask me.
I can give you examples of teams that develop programming languages, and lack the basic documentation that allow the use of the key elements (components, events, methods, and so on).
Under such circumstances, I highly doubt that is anyone ready to do this kind of heavy lifting,
assuming that has the required skills to do it.
Would you?
Again, I'm not Jerry, but I've been around here for sometime and, believe me, Jerry is nothing like "the lazy guy". If it was doable, I presume -- with a low error margin -- he would have already done it.
What you say about the packages info, is mostly true.
Want a solution?
Go and search the Arch Linux Help System. I guess it't the most complete kind of info you can get for packages. I use it whenever I have doubts or uncertainties. The other approach is to use the AI. each one will give you a slightly different answer, but overall, decent answers.
You can obviously setup your own AI, using the Lite AI tool. The manual describes how to setup your own AI on the machine you have Linux Lite, starting from LL 8.0.
At least 75% of the questions will get a satisfactory answer and detailed enough. Just try!
For the rest of 20%, you might be required to provide some extra info.
The other aspect you mentioned, has a dead end from the start. "A
more centralized solution"? How does this cope with the GNU idea of freedom of choice?
There is no way to make everybody happy, whatever solution you offer.
Best proof, is the number of Linux distros on the market.
Theoretically, everyone should fit in one philosophy or the other. Afterall, we have more than 400 distros to choose from! Yet, here we are. People that believe that they can find a distro to please them 120%.
I never assumed that using Linux on a daily basis, would be easy. Nor impossible. Just... different!
You know what? I'd never go back to Windows. I have a far more quieter, peaceful life with Linux.
Maybe choosing Linux Lite over the "Top 10" distros, is a subjective choice. Yet, I'm making it every day, after 8 years of Linux Lite and another 5 years on Linux Mint, and some other 16 years of distro hopping, dual-booting and the like...
Another example:
Arch Linux, is one of the most respected and used distros. Yet, a search will reveal lots of "forks" (flavors, if you like) from the standard "Arch Linux." One is Manjaro. You can find some others on
Distrowatch. Why is that so? We are different. So are the preferences. Nobody can deliver the "one size fits all" OS. Nobody can please everyone, without exceptions.
Maybe you will find my reply disappointing. Nobody's perfect. Neither am I. Yet, I've been the leader of a documentation project for two years. So, I know what I'm talking about.
Best regards!
