[opensuse] software repository could be made more intelligent
Several friends have asked me why they are getting an error message when attempting to install RPMS using the YaST "Software Management" choice. The error message confuses them and they don't know what to do, although it is obvious to any experienced user. An attempt to access the installation media when the installation DVD is not present in the drive brings on the message. In each case the OSS and NONOSS repositories have been added so the installation DVD is no longer required. An easy fix is to go edit the Software Repository and turn off having the system look for the DVD. I would like to suggest that the software could be made more intelligent to detect if the above two repositories have been added and then the original line pointing to the DVD be disabled. This prevents the error from happening. Anytime we can eliminate confusion for new users we have done a good thing in my view. Please let me know if you think I should file an enhancement request? Cheers, Bob -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
2007/10/12, Robert Lewis
I would like to suggest that the software could be made more intelligent to detect if the above two repositories have been added and then the original line pointing to the DVD be disabled. This prevents the error from happening.
IHMO, this type of automation tends to be more annoying than useful. Kind regards. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
Dňa Friday 12 October 2007 19:07:51 Robert Lewis ste napísal:
Several friends have asked me why they are getting an error message when attempting to install RPMS using the YaST "Software Management" choice. The error message confuses them and they don't know what to do, although it is obvious to any experienced user. An attempt to access the installation media when the installation DVD is not present in the drive brings on the message.
In each case the OSS and NONOSS repositories have been added so the installation DVD is no longer required. An easy fix is to go edit the Software Repository and turn off having the system look for the DVD.
I would like to suggest that the software could be made more intelligent to detect if the above two repositories have been added and then the original line pointing to the DVD be disabled. This prevents the error from happening.
Anytime we can eliminate confusion for new users we have done a good thing in my view.
The problem is that we are getting exactly opposite requirement: use DVD as much as possible, do not download from the online repos if not absolutely needed. So, it seems this needs to be user-configurable somehow :( BTW, libzypp does not have support for repo priority, so this is kind of next step after we can make it deterministic where the package is downloaded from. Stano -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On Monday 15 October 2007 07:17:14 am Stanislav Visnovsky wrote:
Dňa Friday 12 October 2007 19:07:51 Robert Lewis ste napísal:
Several friends have asked me why they are getting an error message when attempting to install RPMS using the YaST "Software Management" choice. The error message confuses them and they don't know what to do, although it is obvious to any experienced user. An attempt to access the installation media when the installation DVD is not present in the drive brings on the message.
In each case the OSS and NONOSS repositories have been added so the installation DVD is no longer required. An easy fix is to go edit the Software Repository and turn off having the system look for the DVD.
I would like to suggest that the software could be made more intelligent to detect if the above two repositories have been added and then the original line pointing to the DVD be disabled. This prevents the error from happening.
Anytime we can eliminate confusion for new users we have done a good thing in my view.
The problem is that we are getting exactly opposite requirement: use DVD as much as possible, do not download from the online repos if not absolutely needed.
So, it seems this needs to be user-configurable somehow :(
BTW, libzypp does not have support for repo priority, so this is kind of next step after we can make it deterministic where the package is downloaded from.
Stano
With todays hard disk capacities it is easy to copy DVD to hard disk and make it repository. No need for DVD. Major computer vendors do similar with other OS for a long time, having small partition with system backup. The repository priority is another issue. It was convenient feature of former YaST. The workaround to enable/disable repositories that one don't want to use trough Software Repositories module is now more work than before, using double click to enable/disable repository which is not as obvious as it was once before, when was used check box for enable/disable and refresh/no_refresh. It was the same layout as we have now in Community Repositories, just 2 boxes in front of every repository. Easy to change, easy to see status. Enable Refresh Repository name Path x DVD /path/to/DVD x HardDisk /path/to/hard/disk/copy x FTP /some_mirror/uel x x Packman /packman/url x x MyFavorite /somewhere/on/the/net I really don't understand what rationale is behind present UI, but IMHO it is usability regression. -- Regards, Rajko. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On Mon October 15 2007 07:42, Rajko M. wrote:
With todays hard disk capacities it is easy to copy DVD to hard disk and make it repository. No need for DVD. Major computer vendors do similar with other OS for a long time, having small partition with system backup.
I do that often, but are still some cases, such as in my laptop, where the HD space is not enough and I can't waste it with a copy of the DVD.
[...] It was the same layout as we have now in Community Repositories, just 2 boxes in front of every repository. Easy to change, easy to see status.
Enable Refresh Repository name Path x DVD /path/to/DVD x HardDisk /path/to/hard/disk/copy x FTP /some_mirror/uel x x Packman /packman/url x x MyFavorite /somewhere/on/the/net
I really don't understand what rationale is behind present UI, but IMHO it is usability regression.
I am with you on this one. -- Carlos FL Who is General Failure, and why is he reading my disk? N�����r��y隊Z)z{.�ﮞ˛���m�)z{.��+�Z+i�b�*'jW(�f�vǦj)h���Ǿ��i�������
On Monday 15 October 2007 08:53:39 am Carlos F Lange wrote:
On Mon October 15 2007 07:42, Rajko M. wrote:
With todays hard disk capacities it is easy to copy DVD to hard disk and make it repository. No need for DVD. Major computer vendors do similar with other OS for a long time, having small partition with system backup.
I do that often, but are still some cases, such as in my laptop, where the HD space is not enough and I can't waste it with a copy of the DVD.
I know that above is not universal solution, it was just another idea, where it is applicable, how to make installation possible, without need to stop other important task, like listen music, and still have full bandwidth for something else. Comfort is always good :-) -- Regards, Rajko. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
Dňa Monday 15 October 2007 15:42:31 Rajko M. ste napísal:
On Monday 15 October 2007 07:17:14 am Stanislav Visnovsky wrote:
Dňa Friday 12 October 2007 19:07:51 Robert Lewis ste napísal:
Several friends have asked me why they are getting an error message when attempting to install RPMS using the YaST "Software Management" choice. The error message confuses them and they don't know what to do, although it is obvious to any experienced user. An attempt to access the installation media when the installation DVD is not present in the drive brings on the message.
In each case the OSS and NONOSS repositories have been added so the installation DVD is no longer required. An easy fix is to go edit the Software Repository and turn off having the system look for the DVD.
I would like to suggest that the software could be made more intelligent to detect if the above two repositories have been added and then the original line pointing to the DVD be disabled. This prevents the error from happening.
Anytime we can eliminate confusion for new users we have done a good thing in my view.
The problem is that we are getting exactly opposite requirement: use DVD as much as possible, do not download from the online repos if not absolutely needed.
So, it seems this needs to be user-configurable somehow :(
BTW, libzypp does not have support for repo priority, so this is kind of next step after we can make it deterministic where the package is downloaded from.
Stano
With todays hard disk capacities it is easy to copy DVD to hard disk and make it repository. No need for DVD. Major computer vendors do similar with other OS for a long time, having small partition with system backup.
The repository priority is another issue. It was convenient feature of former YaST.
The workaround to enable/disable repositories that one don't want to use trough Software Repositories module is now more work than before, using double click to enable/disable repository which is not as obvious as it was once before, when was used check box for enable/disable and refresh/no_refresh.
Huh? There is a checkbox 'Enabled' in the information pane when you select the repo in the table. Stano -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On Monday 15 October 2007 09:41:28 am Stanislav Visnovsky wrote:
The workaround to enable/disable repositories that one don't want to use trough Software Repositories module is now more work than before, using double click to enable/disable repository which is not as obvious as it was once before, when was used check box for enable/disable and refresh/no_refresh.
Huh?
I know that is not the biggest problem right now, and I guess that it is not directly yours. It is GUI and usability problem. It was mentioned as example that user life today is not easier than few SUSE versions ago.
There is a checkbox 'Enabled' in the information pane when you select the repo in the table.
Yes, and user has to go line by line and check/change status. While before all that was visible at once, which with increased number of repositories would be advantage. It is good that module is seldom used. For enable/disable operation there is double click that is not mentioned in left hand pane.
Stano
I'm wondering where to post usability/GUI type of problems. Someone posted few days ago his ideas on ux-opensuse.org and there is no comment from UX guys. Do they still work for Novell? -- Regards, Rajko. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On Mon October 15 2007 06:17, Stanislav Visnovsky wrote:
Dňa Friday 12 October 2007 19:07:51 Robert Lewis ste napísal:
I would like to suggest that the software could be made more intelligent to detect if the above two repositories have been added and then the original line pointing to the DVD be disabled. This prevents the error from happening.
Anytime we can eliminate confusion for new users we have done a good thing in my view.
The problem is that we are getting exactly opposite requirement: use DVD as much as possible, do not download from the online repos if not absolutely needed.
So, it seems this needs to be user-configurable somehow :(
There could be a check button in the pop-up for "disabling the DVD as source permanently". In the same spirit as the automatic addition of repos, it would avoid having to close the package manager then opening the source manager, then opening the package manager again to have a smooth install of many packages.
BTW, libzypp does not have support for repo priority, so this is kind of next step after we can make it deterministic where the package is downloaded from.
I think the repo priority is the right direction to automate this process. You don't want the DVD to be disabled by default when the repos are enabled, because the installation is orders of magnitude faster from the DVD, but you want the DVD to be preferred _if_ it is available, instead of being requested with a pop-up every time. -- Carlos FL Who is General Failure, and why is he reading my disk? -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
participants (5)
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Carlos F Lange
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Gabriel .
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Rajko M.
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Robert Lewis
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Stanislav Visnovsky