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lawmanuk
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Post subject: parsix nonfree policy
 Posted: Aug 10, 2008 - 09:03 AM
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Joined: Aug 08, 2008
Posts: 141
Status: Offline
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Hi,
I'm just wondering if parsix has a similar policy to debian and ubuntu in only installing free software. eg. gnash, free java etc.
If it has, is it worth considering going down the route of mint, and installing the software which is best for the job, rather than have such strict policies?
a user orientated approach seems to be why mint became so popular. so far, i've had to remove gnash and install flash-nonfree, as gnash wouldn't work in every website. same with java.
also considering removing iceweasel, and replacing with either swiftweasel or swiftfox, as supposed to be faster.
from a user point of view, i just want a system/software that works. neither the sun-java nor the adobe flash cost any money, so i'm not clear what the benefit to parsix is, as i'm sure it must detract from getting a larger user base - which it definately deserves.
thanks |
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grasshopper
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Post subject: RE: parsix nonfree policy
Posted: Aug 10, 2008 - 01:23 PM
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Joined: Aug 07, 2008
Posts: 28
Status: Offline
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| I admire Debian and Parsix for their stance. If everyone used free software then the nonfree would die away. Sadly, I'm one of those who have nonfree on my computer because I want one that works as well. |
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lawmanuk
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Post subject: RE: parsix nonfree policy
Posted: Aug 10, 2008 - 04:03 PM
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Joined: Aug 08, 2008
Posts: 141
Status: Offline
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| but everyone can't use free software when it doesn't work properly. until it works properly, doesn't it make sense to have software that does work, installed by default? |
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grasshopper
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Post subject: RE: parsix nonfree policy
Posted: Aug 10, 2008 - 09:02 PM
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Joined: Aug 07, 2008
Posts: 28
Status: Offline
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I know W32codecs and Libdvdcss are illegal in some places. I can understand not including them. Plus, some people refuse to use nonfree and if you include it some people refuse to use the distro. So free is included to be on the safe side.
Personally, I think the best way is not to include anything but give people instructions on how to add nonfree or free if they should wish to do so. |
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xet7
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Post subject: RE: parsix nonfree policy
Posted: Aug 10, 2008 - 11:09 PM
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Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 20, 2008
Posts: 205
Location: Finland
Status: Offline
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This is what I do to get most things installed and working, using Parsix default repositories (actually boss repositories now) and only added Skype repository. There is limited space for software on the CD, and I prefer CD, not DVD. Parsix is best distro for me, I have used it daily from beginning of the year 2008. I have not had time to make more complete wiki page about this yet, but I will during month or two.
1) In Root Terminal:
Code:
gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
- there add:
Code:
# Skype
deb http://download.skype.com/linux/repos/debian/ stable non-free
2) Add software:
Code:
# update to latest versions
apt-get update
apt-get dist-upgrade
# cleanup
apt-get clean
apt-get autoremove
dpkg -P `deborphan`
# Remove vlc and gnash plugins
apt-get remove mozilla-plugin-vlc gnash mozilla-plugin-gnash --purge
# Install Java
apt-get install sun-java6-fonts sun-java6-jdk sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin
# Update Java paths
update-java-alternatives -s java-6-sun
# Install apps (if not Finnish, remove fi and voikko. Also if you don't need something).
apt-get install pyrenamer nano ghex qemu kqemu-common kqemu-modules-2.6.24-parsix-23 skype kopete filezilla wine audacity avidemux mozilla-mplayer w32codecs msttcorefonts flashplayer-mozilla python-tk cups-pdf openoffice.org-l10n-fi openoffice.org-voikko ffmpeg
# cleanup again
apt-get clean
apt-get autoremove
dpkg -P `deborphan`
- I don't know if there is key for Skype repo somewhere, it gives warning, I had to confirm with y.
- Accept Java License: First Enter = OK, then with arror keys to left Yes button, and then Enter |
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xet7
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Post subject: RE: parsix nonfree policy
Posted: Aug 10, 2008 - 11:14 PM
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Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 20, 2008
Posts: 205
Location: Finland
Status: Offline
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rokky
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Post subject: RE: parsix nonfree policy
Posted: Aug 11, 2008 - 11:44 PM
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Joined: Apr 27, 2008
Posts: 11
Status: Offline
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| It would be nice to see a dvd version with all the bells and whistles. I get tired of looking for, downloading and installing stuff to get things working. Not just Parsix. The only distro that has most everything is Sabayon and it sucks for other reasons. |
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xet7
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Post subject: RE: parsix nonfree policy
Posted: Aug 12, 2008 - 04:26 AM
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Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 20, 2008
Posts: 205
Location: Finland
Status: Offline
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rokky:
I'm in progress of writing more complete installation page to the wiki howtos page, and reorganizing it.
http://www.parsix.org/html/index.php?mo ... g=HowTosEn
I'm also bringing other content to the wiki from various sources, as seen in my wiki page:
http://www.parsix.org/html/index.php?mo ... p;tag=xet7
My other PC does not have a DVD drive, only CD, so current Parsix is great for it.
I could write GUI autoinstaller, but some software needs clicking GUI buttons, so it gets very tricky to do it. Its enough already for me to keep up with all the updates and new software that comes available for Linux. Only programs that I need under VirtualBox for my work are MS Access 97 and VB6, for everything else I have Linux apps. |
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rokky
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 12, 2008 - 06:12 AM
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Joined: Apr 27, 2008
Posts: 11
Status: Offline
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That is understandable Xet7. I've just installed the newest Parsix so I'm up late so I can download a few necessities. We are bandwidth limited but they don't seem to mind after midnight. Midnight is pretty late for an old guy though.
My RC install was working fine but what the heck - I can't leave anything well enough alone.
I do appreciate your howtos.
I find myself getting more and more disinterested with distrohopping. Parsix just works too well.
Great work and thanks! |
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xet7
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 12, 2008 - 06:57 AM
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Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 20, 2008
Posts: 205
Location: Finland
Status: Offline
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lawmanuk
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 12, 2008 - 09:15 PM
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Joined: Aug 08, 2008
Posts: 141
Status: Offline
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xet, try RealBasic to replace vb6. it's newer and completely cross platform.
also, I think it would be really great if users had the choice of which programs to install when installing parsix. a tick list would be excellent right at the outset.
include all the free software on the cd, so nobody is illegal etc. any non-free software can be downloaded and installed automatically.
its amazing why no distro lets users choose the programs at installation time, as it would be a great bonus. |
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xet7
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 12, 2008 - 10:16 PM
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Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 20, 2008
Posts: 205
Location: Finland
Status: Offline
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lawmanuk:
1) I have tried RealBasic, and it seems to need some kind of converter, both that need to be paid for. Both Access 97 and VB6 apps will be webapps, because it's not needed to install to each PC, I have also added this info to wiki.
I have also been in situation, that I would like to fix bug in closed source app, but I could not because I did not have access to all of source code. I'm not sure if I could get source code for RealBasic GUI and code generation, I think I could only add VB code. Are there solutions to this problem?
There is free version of RealBasic for Open Source code, but I need to develop Closed Source code too. Every software has bugs, and if I can't fix a bug for a customer, I'm stuck.
2) Any programmer can create such an app, if it uses apt-get in background. Things needed for it is:
- run the app as root
- some sort of GUI with buttons
- when something is selected, add it to programs list
- execute command in the background like:
apt-get install program1 program2 etc
- and then read what text it gives, follows prompts etc.
The tricky parts are:
- if installing requires clicking buttons, how to figure out where buttons are, and click them automatically. Different people have different themes, button sizes, menu layouts etc.
- if some configuration file needs changes, where the file is?
There is one post in this forum about Automatix, which is this kind of program, but I have not tried it, and it may mess things up badly so reinstall is needed:
http://www.parsix.org/html/PNphpBB2-vie ... matix.html
I'm still busy transferring content to the wiki etc in my free time. There may be some starting point in Automatix and similar programs source code. Maybe somebody else could contribute time to create such an automatic installer? |
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lawmanuk
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 13, 2008 - 07:49 AM
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Joined: Aug 08, 2008
Posts: 141
Status: Offline
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automatix was helpful on ubuntu some time back when it came with free stuff only. now they tend to have automatic installers for non-free codecs etc., so automatix less useful.
when i used automatix on ubuntu some time back, it went through smoothly, and installed a lot of non-free stuff effortlessly.
until we can select programs to install from the live cd at installation time, an automatix style script for parsix might be helpful. |
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