[OT] Debian mailinglists [was: RE: Debian or Ubuntu?]

[Mario Vukelic]

On Tue, 2008-05-20 at 15:19 -0300, Derek Broughton wrote:
> Why is it that every argument against GUI tools is that Tool "X" is awful? 
> I couldn't care less how SQLServer handles configuration - especially if
> it's idiotic.  Could it be done better?  Surely, you'd agree that it can.

Well, if all known attempts at it are awful, it might be time to revisit
the basic premise. Unless, of course, if you finally presented an
example that is at least on the way there ...

> I disagree.  Tools should be able to work at multiple levels for newbies and
> experts.  

But at some point the expert's work gets so complex that the GUI tool is
more of a hinderance than a help

> Because SQLServer's tool can't help, doesn't mean that it can't
> be done.  Please cite an example of a configuration problem that couldn't
> be handled in a GUI.

I don't think that I have really disputed so far that any config is
possible to do in a GUI tool (barring bugs). It probably is. What I have
disputed is that all configs can be handled by a GUI that holds your
hands and prevents you from making mistakes, which is what you have
suggested (to the point were no other config method is even possible)
Obvious examples have already been posted.

> Configuration isn't difficult.  It's tedious, and repetitive and prone to
> mechanical error.  It's the sort of thing that _should_ be left to monkeys.

Here you stop making sense. Come on ...