Forcing intentional deb package dependency resolution

[Ralf Mardorf]

On Thu, 2023-12-28 at 22:56 -0500, Sam Varshavchik wrote:
> 2. The "apt upgrade libcourier-auth" ends up doing this:
> 
> The following packages will be REMOVED:
>   libcourier-auth-config-daemon-daemon
> The following NEW packages will be installed:
>   libcourier-auth-config-daemon-bin
> The following packages will be upgraded:
>   libcourier-auth libcourier-auth-dev libcourier-auth0

Hi,

users are encouraged to run "full-upgrade", which doesn't make it any
better for you. As long as a user doesn't use "--assume-yes" or "--
force-yes" or "--trivial-only" or what ever else auto-reply options are
available, the user is free to make self-responsible decisions.

The need for self-responsible manual intervention distinguishes Linux
from very popular commercial operating systems.

I think your intention to make decisions for the user is fundamentally
wrong.

I'm in favour of user-friendliness and of course, some automation can
also be pleasant for administrators, as long as the operating system is
not magic even for inexperienced users.

Media education for children (and adults) is generally provided by
people who can't put their smartphone down for 10 minutes and don't even
have a basic knowledge of computers. Even if there is a solution for
what you want, think about it and don't use it.

The fact that people have to think for themselves, have to do something
themselves, is good for people. Taking everything away from users is not
user-friendly, but an insidious trap.

If the computer is a tool that can also be used by inexperienced users,
then that is good, but if it also writes the love letters, then that is
no longer good.

Children (and adults) should only be given conventional tools once they
have a basic understanding of how to use and care for them.

It should be no different with computers.

Regards,
Ralf