I must say, I appreciate the attention to make things not only simpler but less breakable lately. First we had APT being patched to stop users removing essential packages, now the KDE Discover software manager gets a similar upgrade.
Developer Nate Graham has written up another great "This week in KDE" blog post, going over changes and improvements coming to the next release of Plasma and the various applications. One small change really caught my eye though! Discover now has a new way to ensure you keep a working system, with an updated mechanism to detect important packages getting removed and give you a friendly warning on it free of too much technical jargon.
Picture Source - Nate Graham
Graham's comment underneath "Hopefully this is Linus-Sebastian-proof", heh. I hope many more application developers are looking at the way Discover and APT are evolving to ensure things are a bit more idiot-proof.
Another change to make things look a bit friendlier in Discover is that previously, if you had issues upgrading, it would instantly shove a load of technical details in your face. To normal consumers, that's clearly not going to do much to help and could probably scare them away. Now, instead, it will provide a very clear and friendly message, with the option to get more details to report the issue.
Picture Source - Nate Graham
Plenty more upgrades to Plasma are in the works too, like the newer KWin Overview effect gaining the ability to display search results from KRunner, which brings it another step closer to the GNOME Activities Overview feature, which I did always find thoroughly useful.
There's plenty more fixes in the full post.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
The comments on this article are closed.
slaapliedje Nov 20, 2021
Quoting: AussieEeveeThe problem with GUI is that it changes much quicker over time. Windows 10 is a perfect example of this. Look up some solution on how to change a setting in Windows 10... good luck as if it's older than 6 months, than it's a good possibility that setting has been moved to some other area, so you have to keep looking.Quoting: Glog78The command line and everything outside of officially provided packages (including protontricks / proton-ge and many more tools) are not newbie friendly and shouldn't be adviced to newbies if we want to be really newbie friendly.This has actually been one of my biggest arguing points when talking to other Linux people. Stop recommending the command line to new users. If someone is inexperienced, can we PLEASE find a way to do it in the gui for them?
Quoting: GuestI think we'll have to agree to disagree on this point. Which is fine.On which part? That it was easy to bypass the pop shop? Or that he's familiar with tech?
If the latter, he has managed to drop virtually every hardware component in existence, if that counts...
Command line on the other hand takes a LONG time to change, and usually it's additions of more options, the options themselves don't change.
What Linus experienced was the 'perfect storm' of installing Pop, not running apt update (which whatever post he was looking at SHOULD have told him to do) and then just ignoring the warning. If he'd upgraded pop first after an install, it likely would not have happened the way it did.
That's ONE advantage yum/dnf has over apt. It just has 'update' and it updates the cache and packages. Though there is a down side to that as it takes much longer to upgrade too. I kind of prefer the separate command, as you don't always need to update the package list (once per day is usually enough).
3 Likes, Who?
Koopacabras Nov 20, 2021
I wouldn't like this if I were a sysadmin or a cli user, or someone that likes weird gui setups, mixing wm with DE, for example. But I'm in for Linux having a more "commercial approach". One of the biggest complains about Linux it's that you have to tinker too much thru cli to do stuff that on windows can be done with a few clicks and never touching the cli.
Last edited by Koopacabras on 20 November 2021 at 7:24 pm UTC
Last edited by Koopacabras on 20 November 2021 at 7:24 pm UTC
2 Likes, Who?
Quoting: Glog78Quoting: AussieEeveeQuoting: Glog78I haven't said anything in a long time, but i am really "pissed" off what is currently happening. If i wanted a os which takes my hand and makes assumptions or decissions for me i would have stayed with windows or mac os ...There is an override switch.
It's not making assumptions or decisions for you. It simply has a protection to prevent removing system critical packages by accident.
No one is taking anything away from you. apt is simply being made more newbie friendly. You can still break your system as much as you want.
More newbie friendly or for me another fucking option i need to remember and which because it should be newbie friendly won't be easy to find again (once in a blue moon when i am in charge of a debian based system) .... Specially ubuntu has been developed to a hell of a package management ...
You don't update snap -> oh the gui tool breaks because it tries to update snaps first. Oh after you got down and notice you need a new snap version you finally can now update the package ... synaptic using apt-get ... apt-get using apt .... which tool will give you now the option ? will they all be adapted or will because we are newbe friendly only that one hidden switch for apt (lowest level) be able to do what i want ? Also why did kde adapt something which clearly belongs into the hand of package management ? And does synaptic now do the same or whatever gui package manager you use ?
Perhaps you should refrain from posting again. Because this all sounds like ... well "unsubstantial ranting". First Snap. Since when do you update snaps by yourself? Granted you can, but by default they are updated autonomously and will never, ever conflict with your deb-packages (that's after all one of their selling points). Then you have synaptic (my favorite package manager) which does nothing else than provide a gui frontend for apt-*. And apt-get doesn't invoke apt, apt is just a "better apt-get". And yes it doesn't matter whether you use apt, apt-get, aptitude, synaptic or Gnome Software - they always use the same repos and they always install/uninstall or update the same packages.
Besides: Pretty much all distros nowadays prevent you from executing a
sudo rm -fr / May I ask why? Legend has it that it was introduced because too many "elitist" found it oh so funny to troll newbies with this command...
3 Likes, Who?
Schattenspiegel Nov 20, 2021
Displaying relevant information and warnings is educational and not new-user-unfriendly.
Displaying empty error messages is training people not to read these before closing the window and then searching some some arcane solution on the net.
Finding a solution for a windows problem usually involves reading a 2-5 page guide with pictures that does no necessarily help you because it either uses a different language or the last update changed the gui for reasons.
A linux guide usually boils down to a single command line and in case of unfamiliarity copy&pasting said line into the search engine of your choice.
That makes Linux clearly a winner in my book. both in time involved and user-friendliness.
A smarter move then all these changes would have been to change the default Linux install option on all distros to install the system on a separate partition from the /home directory so even in worst case scenario they can simply do a fresh reinstall of the system and are ready to go again in 15 minutes even if they did not make a system backup. And chances are they would have learned something in the process.
Displaying empty error messages is training people not to read these before closing the window and then searching some some arcane solution on the net.
Finding a solution for a windows problem usually involves reading a 2-5 page guide with pictures that does no necessarily help you because it either uses a different language or the last update changed the gui for reasons.
A linux guide usually boils down to a single command line and in case of unfamiliarity copy&pasting said line into the search engine of your choice.
That makes Linux clearly a winner in my book. both in time involved and user-friendliness.
A smarter move then all these changes would have been to change the default Linux install option on all distros to install the system on a separate partition from the /home directory so even in worst case scenario they can simply do a fresh reinstall of the system and are ready to go again in 15 minutes even if they did not make a system backup. And chances are they would have learned something in the process.
2 Likes, Who?
Quoting: AussieEeveeThis is a controversial opinion because it's the definition of gatekeeping, and it is time gatekeeping stopped happening.Is it gatekeeping to say that not everyone should be placed behind the wheels of a Formel 1 car? Is it gatekeeping to say that some products require more of a user than others, or that they are meant for different segments of the market? Is it really gatekeeping to mean anything else other than that everything should be made for everyone and everyone should be able to use everything?
Quoting: AussieEeveeAnd yes, it's pathetic that it took a guy like Linus to discover a major problem with the way apt handles packages. This nonsense should have been fixed years ago.
The problem here was an error in the Steam package, presumably the control file/install script. There never was any problems with how APT handles packages. It just did as instructed, related to the dependencies specified in that control file.
What kind of script error should we be protected against next? There's plenty of shenanigan that could be done with a python script. Or if the user runs a shell script he copied from the web and didn't understand the content of. Of course as root, cause that's how he runs everything.
Do we want Linux to become MacOS? Cause this is essentially what Apple did with their Unix distro: Made it "fool proof" against pretty much any activity outside the designated and verified workflow.
Quoting: AussieEeveeI get it. You want your tough as nails, punishing, extremely hard to use operating system. That's YOUR idea of an OS.Come on man. This discussion is enough polarised as it is, without the need to project falsified opinions like that and argue against it.
Last edited by Beamboom on 20 November 2021 at 8:55 pm UTC
2 Likes, Who?
Quoting: NociferBut I do have one question: what if I intentionally do want to remove a "system critical" package like Xorg or my DE - how do I do it if package managers, both GUI and CLI, prevent me from doing so?If you intentionally want to delete something, wouldn't you normally do it by, I dunno, using a "delete something" command of some sort, not by trying to trigger the deletion by installing a package? As far as I know, nobody's done anything to the stuff you do when you're trying to delete things.
3 Likes, Who?
that is what happens when this type of bug get some exposure...
i mean, 1 million of users reporting a bug? nah that is not important.
one big influencer reporting it? oh, shit! we need to do something about it!
ok, to be fair, there arent 1 million of bugs reports on the linus incident because many people got stuck without an gui and cant use their computer anymore to report the freaking bug.
before someone say something like "this is a different bug" i'm talking about this class of bugs, system breaking bugs.
and yes, uninstalling an system essential feature because you dont know what you are doing is an bug, or at least an ux design flaw.
i mean, 1 million of users reporting a bug? nah that is not important.
one big influencer reporting it? oh, shit! we need to do something about it!
ok, to be fair, there arent 1 million of bugs reports on the linus incident because many people got stuck without an gui and cant use their computer anymore to report the freaking bug.
before someone say something like "this is a different bug" i'm talking about this class of bugs, system breaking bugs.
and yes, uninstalling an system essential feature because you dont know what you are doing is an bug, or at least an ux design flaw.
2 Likes, Who?
Quoting: BeamboomIs it gatekeeping to say that not everyone should be placed behind the wheels of a Formel 1 car? Is it gatekeeping to say that some products require more of a user than others, or that they are meant for different segments of the market? Is it really gatekeeping to mean anything else other than that everything should be made for everyone and everyone should be able to use everything?This is a false comparison, and not one you can really make against much in this situation. We're not talking about a specialised field in any way - this is general purpose computing. Honestly, for those who don't like it - just stick to your terminal and be happy? Let the rest of us work on letting people enjoying Linux in general without something breaking ;)
4 Likes, Who?
I really don't understand what all this argument is about. Like, there are people actively upset about it being more difficult for the attempt to install a package using apt to result in the system getting hosed. Like they're actively mad because in order to do that they will now have to check the apt man page or something and add a "let it hose my system" option when they do the command, instead of just typing "Do what I say" when apt tells them they're about to hose their system.
These are the same people who say nobody should be using the command line unless they have some idea what they're doing . . . which I would normally figure at a minimum would involve having given the man page a once-over before starting to use a command, which would mean those approved-of people would be in a position to know they needed to add "--let-it-hose-my-system" or whatever to the command if they want to let it hose their system, so the change isn't really a barrier.
These are also the same people who say Linus was an idiot to type "Do what I say" in the first place. So they're saying that the new fix isn't going to stop anyone, who isn't the kind of idiot they don't want using Linux, from doing anything, ever. And yet it's terrible.
Really, WTF?! This is incredibly silly, even if you're going to be a "Linux should only be for techies who want to learn by breakage" gatekeeper. There is no use case where a Linux techie learning how to use the system should have as their objective to make their system become headless by trying to install a wrongly packaged package. If you want to delete the GUI or some other important part of the system, there are various ways to do it and that isn't one of them. This isn't a case where you've got a command some people will want to use to do a certain kind of thing and it is now harder for them, this is literally a thing nobody should ever do and it is now harder for them, and this is a problem because . . . a good operating system should have a nice supply of gotchas, so the users get hair on their chests? What?!
Last edited by Purple Library Guy on 20 November 2021 at 9:39 pm UTC
These are the same people who say nobody should be using the command line unless they have some idea what they're doing . . . which I would normally figure at a minimum would involve having given the man page a once-over before starting to use a command, which would mean those approved-of people would be in a position to know they needed to add "--let-it-hose-my-system" or whatever to the command if they want to let it hose their system, so the change isn't really a barrier.
These are also the same people who say Linus was an idiot to type "Do what I say" in the first place. So they're saying that the new fix isn't going to stop anyone, who isn't the kind of idiot they don't want using Linux, from doing anything, ever. And yet it's terrible.
Really, WTF?! This is incredibly silly, even if you're going to be a "Linux should only be for techies who want to learn by breakage" gatekeeper. There is no use case where a Linux techie learning how to use the system should have as their objective to make their system become headless by trying to install a wrongly packaged package. If you want to delete the GUI or some other important part of the system, there are various ways to do it and that isn't one of them. This isn't a case where you've got a command some people will want to use to do a certain kind of thing and it is now harder for them, this is literally a thing nobody should ever do and it is now harder for them, and this is a problem because . . . a good operating system should have a nice supply of gotchas, so the users get hair on their chests? What?!
Last edited by Purple Library Guy on 20 November 2021 at 9:39 pm UTC
13 Likes, Who?
Quoting: Liam DaweThis is a false comparison, and not one you can really make against much in this situation. We're not talking about a specialised field in any way - this is general purpose computing.Actually, when I did the comparison between Linux and Formel 1 I for the first time in this discussion actually DID feel elitish... That was a horribly cocky, snobbish comparison :D
I should perhaps rather compare it with cameras? For a lot of people the camera on their smart phone is the best option and fully cover their use case. Some should rather go for the possibilities offered by pocket cameras. And absolutely not everyone needs or should use a system camera.
All three can produce great images. Still they are not equal.
Some things require a different skill level than others by the very nature of what it is.
And thus we are full circle now, because I honestly - and without wanting to leave anyone out like a bouncer but rather the consequence of a more realistic perspective on what Linux IS:
I seriously do not believe Linux is for everyone. It doesn't belong to the mainstream on the same level as MacOS and Windows.
There's too much chaos in the Linux world. Wonderful chaos. Just the very existence of the ridiculous amount of distros, a majority of whom there's no objective need for. That is one hell of a confusing nightmare to greet a newbie with right there.
Then you got the modular design. "Linux" is not one thing, as we all know. The system varies not only between the distros, but also depending on how the individual user has rigged their system.
Absolutely everything is accessible, configurable, replaceable, interchangeable.
All great stuff, but it requires something from the user.
Linux is the system camera of the OS world.
Last edited by Beamboom on 20 November 2021 at 9:57 pm UTC
0 Likes
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me