As you can see, it doesn't really look any different than the "Synaptic Package Manager". So I dug a little deeper and searched for the programs that I installed originally. What I found was that it kind of simplified everything. In a way its sort of a SPM for the less computer/Linux savy folks.
In my personal opinion, I would rather be digging around in the SPM rather than Add/Remove. However, I do think this is a great feature. It keeps you from installing unnecessary junk, and makes it easy to just get what you want.
There isnt really much to it, I intended to create a lengthy post on this particular feature, but I worry that you would have fallen asleep about 1/3 of the way through.
So, sense I feel like I'm short changing you with this post, I am tossing it up early. I will have a new, more in depth post for Friday (Dec 12), and then one for Saturday (Dec 13).
As you can see I have decided to change the format of things a little. I will be sifting through random Linux & Open source news, bringing it to light (siting my sources of course), and commenting on it. This will be in addition to the regular walk-thrus, opinions, and reviews.
If you have something that you wish to have me make a walk-thru on, write an article about, or a news story to have posted up, please email me at blake@thelinuxnewb.com
3 comments:
You got it really. SPM is intended for "Advanced" users, as its developers say.
There are definitely differences.
1) Add/Remove uses the actual desktop icons and names. The package names are really only about internal organisation
2) Add/Remove only shows desktop applications
3) Add/Remove organises the programs by the menu it would be installed in
The truth is, 99% of the computer users wouldn't and couldn't use SPM.
It's just that those 98% of that group is using Windows.
Actually, I don't really understand why SPM even exists.
I mean the advanced users, like myself, just use a terminal.
SPM is targetted at those wanne-be sysadmins that can only use a mouse.
Whereas add/remove is targetting my mom.
So, if anything. They should remove SPM, not add/remove.
My mom needs a graphical tool. I don't. And if you can't use the terminal properly; you shouldn't mess with SPM either.
@Vadi
Thanks for being so active!! I'm trying to keep up on responding, but I've been crazy busy lately!! No worries though, I will get around to your suggestions.
@Ralf
All are valid points. However, coming from Windows myself, I found the 'new' command line to be very intimidating. It was nice to have SPM to gimp me along. Now, sense I have had more time to play around, I do not find the commands to be as daunting.
I think Both of the 2 are useful, and serve their purposes. Because, if you ask me...I'd rather just open my SPM click on a program and hit 'apply'. Rather and using command line. Not because im anti-command line, but because im pro-usability.
Thanks for posting up btw, I appreciate all posts. I hope you will keep reading and commenting, sense you seem to have a very good understanding of Linux.
Regards,
Blake
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