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Re: [LUG] don't accept .debs from random websites

 

On Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:52:06 +0000
John Hansen <whitover@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> I run Kubuntu 9.10 on a PC on which I should like to install grism.
> The installation instructions state:

Where are you getting those instructions? Ubuntu, like Debian, doesn't
expect users to routinely install software from random websites, you
should use a package made for you by someone who can fix the inevitable
problems of fitting this software into the rest of the system.

This isn't Windows - installing software from random websites is a
truly BAD idea; no matter what the "justifications" or "excuses" that
users commonly pretend are "needs" and "requirements".

If you're not familiar with how .debs are handled, you should
DEFINITELY not even consider installing one from some random website.

> "Grism is now available from the command line as /usr/bin/grism
> or from the Applications menu under "Office"."

The .deb packages offered from random websites are generally useless
and will cause a world of pain into the future. Unless you are able to
handle these problems (in which case you need to be a Ubuntu MOTU or
Debian maintainer), don't bother. Ask someone to package it for you. In
Debian, you file an RFP bug against the WNPP package.

> I have tried both these options but to no avail. I may be doing
> something incorrectly and wonder if a kind soul might try installing
> the grism programme and let me know how to do it.

Nobody from Grism has taken the time to try and get grism into Debian,
instead they are just offering a random .deb that has no maintainer and
no future.

If someone who can put in the work has sufficient time to do the work,
maybe it can be put into Debian properly. Until then, either learn how
to build it from source (and fix all the problems that result yourself)
or do without it.

Pester the people behind Grism to get grism into Debian properly, via
debian-mentors and making a long term commitment to both Grism AND
Debian (and therefore Ubuntu).

http://mentors.debian.net/

http://people.debian.org/~codehelp/#sponsor
(I've not got enough time to sponsor anything myself but the page
offers other useful links.)

http://www.debian.org/doc/maint-guide/

http://www.debian.org/doc/developers-reference/

-- 


Neil Williams
=============
http://www.data-freedom.org/
http://www.linux.codehelp.co.uk/
http://e-mail.is-not-s.ms/

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