Benjamin Mesing wrote: >>> I have a PyGTK-based program that has an optional dependency on the >>> package python-matplotlib. >>> >>> Is there any way under Debian (and hopefully also Ubuntu) that I can >>> trigger gtk-debi or something like that when the user requests to use >>> the part of my program that depends on stuff they haven't installed yet? >>> What would be the best way of doing that from python, if such a thing >>> exists? >>> >>> >> That seems like too much work. Why not just document the optional >> dependencies. Additionally, if the features are that nice to have why >> not make the packages which provide the functionality Recommended? >> > > According to the policy Recommends "declares a strong, but not absolute, > dependency. > > The Recommends field should list packages that would be found together > with this one in all but unusual installations." [1] > > Which IMO is clearly not the case here. Many users probably won't need > that particular feature. > > Regards Ben >
I am aware of the 'Recommends' and 'Suggests' thing. Many users are familiar with it, and know how to go and seek out and install a missing package. But this is about user experience. It just strikes me that there is a level of automation that would be really pretty simple to implement: "click here to install the missing package". Then the user's experience is transformed from "right. i have to stop what I'm doing and put on my sysadmin hat" into "ok, I'll just click this to download the plugin". I had something along the lines of "gksu apt-get install python-matplotlib" in mind, but I would like something that did the install bit with a GUI if possible. And it's just an idea; I don't want to do this unless it can be done in nice tidy way. Another thought: doesn't Totem have some kind of 'codec finder'? Cheers JP -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
