apps choice for Ubuntu and installation choices [Was: cross-platform virus]

[Alexander Jacob Tsykin]

On Thursday 13 April 2006 08:14, Brian Burger wrote:
> > A home user most definitely does not need the Gimp. It is overkill, it
> > has far too many features, is hard to learn, and difficult to use.
>
> Sorry, but that's just flat-out wrong. Digital cameras are only getting
> more common, and so is the need for a good image editing app.
>
> Photoshop is also overkill/hard to learn/etc for home users, yet it's a
> very, very popular application.
>
> The GIMP isn't perfect, and most users probably don't use more than a
> fraction of it's abilities, but in the absence of any other image editor,
> the GIMP needs to be included.
>
> This is purely anedotal, but: Every regular computer user I know either
> uses Photoshop, the GIMP, or some messy, crippled photo-editor so awful
> they'd be better off using the GIMP. Most digicams ship with some sort of
> (Windows/Mac only) photo-editor, and the half-dozen I've tried to use are
> all far, far worse than the GIMP in terms of usability...
>
No computer user I know uses either photoshop or the Gimp. Most people are not 
computer literate. Fact. They don't know about different programs. Fact. They 
don't experiment with their computers. Fact. They just use the simplest tool 
available. Nobody would say that the Gimp is simple, so why include it? Only 
people actually interested in doing more to edit their photos than remove red 
eye would consider the Gimp, and that's very few.
> These are just a few which rapidly come to mind. Please add more or correct
>
> > me as you see fit. I think this is a good idea, so I would love to
> > discuss it. As for who would choose apps, the devs would, who else?
>
> But based on what criteria? Random postings to sounder don't count as a
> method of choosing apps...
>
The devs choose apps now. Why couldn't they choose apps if there were to be 
different types of installs? It would seem that the best way to choose apps 
is based on popularity. Put it in the installer asking people if they would 
like to participate in a survey about what apps they use. Explain it requires 
no interaction on their part, just using the computer and have everything 
happen automatically. Then just have it set up automatically if they say yes 
or disable it if they say no.
> Brian/Madpilot
Sasha