On Tuesday 26 August 2003 18:58, Yedidyah Bar-David wrote:
> 1. I am not sure the second and third times will take as long as the
> first.
Correct.
> 2. If many people use it, e.g. hundreds of instalees per version on
> around ten different parties, it's still worth it.
Yes, if installs cannot be pipelined.
> 3. More people can participate in the preperation.
> 4. I can do the preperation whenever I want. At home, at night, weekend,
> even at work (if my boss says so). The time of the instaparty, OTOH,
> is much more expensive.
True.
> That's the way I did all (3? 4?) parties here (since I arrived).
> And now I want to try something different.
> Are you talking from experience? Did you try both ways and are convinced
> about which is the right one? Or do you simply say what you think (which
> is of course perfectly ok)?
Ok, while I visited some install-parties, trying another option cannot
hurt if done properly.
I'm not sure how many installees would actually perform what you
ask from them (we can encourage them by telling how much time it would
save *them*, and maybe give priority to those who come with the required
"pre-installed" machine). However, we should have also an "orthodox" install
option for the other (maybe most?) people who would simply bring their
machines as-is.
The regular install option may still be accelerated IMO by pipelining:
- The defrag and prep stage may be done after short explanation
without the attendance of the installer.
- Network installs may accelerate the "boring" install phase.
Last time there was temporary shortage of CD's (during install).
Also, on many machines the CD install is slower than network install.
- If some install decisions are fixed (e.g: packages = everything,
install languages, etc.) than a "partial" kickstart may be prepared.
Anaconda ask only the missing steps, shortening further the useless
dialog.
> Well, here I have to differ. I do not want to install Linux for him.
> All I want is to let him try it, and do his homework.
> I do not think there is something magical about *the installation*,
The magical thing about *this* installation is that a bunch of experts
in Linux, devote their precious time to help newbies! So I think that
this calls for (some) commitment from the installees.
Getting Knoppix/Kinneret for a trial like you mentioned is OK. They can
get it from us or download+burn it themselves. No real waste of our time,
and no commitment involved.
However, having someone help you install+config your machine requires
(IMO) that you are willing to invest an equivalent effort. While installing
a boot loader to the MBR is bad idea in dual-boot machines, other forms
of "acts" may be good sign of such a commitment from the installee:
1. Are they willing to prepare their machine as you asked in your
install method?
2. Are they willing to defrag their NTFS at home before the party?
3. Can they allocate a partition on their hard-drive? Or buy an extra drive?
To summarize, let's try both methods -- maybe they are good for different
audiences? BTW: Nobody responded about net-install. Do we have the resources?
(switches, end-points, a server)?
--
Oron Peled Voice/Fax: +972-4-8228492
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