Anaconda: good work!

[Thomas Canniot]

As Dimi Paun just shared his thoughts about anaconda, here is what i'm
dreaming of for anaconda.

What I found sad in anaconda during the installation process is the
permanent showing of our brand new logo for about 20 min, while anaconda
is copying files. We had in previous version of FC, texts talking about
the distribution itself. These have disappeared, too bad really.

Maybe we could do something here that really helps people, newbies who
are just installing their first linux distribution. I dreamt of an
anaconda that helps newbies make their first steps in Fedora Core.

Here is a mockup i made showing anaconda copying files and delivering
some help at the same time!

http://mrtomlinux.org/Up2date&anaconda-en.png

Of course, many topics could be reached this way, and that would make
Fedorz Core an even more user-friendly distribution.

Of course, many geeks won't like the idea because it is not a brand new
feature, or because they may feel bored reading through this kind of
newbies' help.

Tell me what you think about it!

Regards,

Thomas Canniot

Le mercredi 22 mars 2006 à 10:12 -0500, Dimi Paun a écrit :
> Hi Jeremy,
> 
> Just wanted to share a few thoughts about anaconda,
> while fresh in my mind (I've managed to install FC5
> last night).
> 
> First impression: anaconda really rocks! This is a
> very solid, pleasant installer.
> 
> I do have a few _minor_ points that I think would
> make it a bit nicer to use:
>   * PASS/FAIL color coding
>     When testing disks, there's nothing in the way
>     of visual feedback between the PASS/FAIL screens
>     (I haven't actually seen the FAIL screen :), but
>     I assume it hasn't changed since FC4)
>     This is a screen that I tend to dismiss quickly,
>     and I'm left with that nagging feeling that I didn't
>     read the text right. A green/red background just for
>     the word PASS/FAIL will help immensely.
> 
>   * The text based boot is ugly
>     Rather minor point, but a graphical initial boot 
>     would make for a less intimidating experience in
>     this otherwise flawless graphical installer.
> 
>   * Disk change indicators
>     Not sure it's worth the trouble, but it would be
>     really nice if we got some ticks along the progress
>     bar on when we can expect we will need to change
>     the CDs. This would also tell someone which CDs are
>     needed. It would help people a lot to manage their
>     time during installs.
> 
>   * Links don't work in Release Notes
>     Rather frustrating, considering the size of the doc.
>     Links within the document should work, if they
>     look like regular links (color, cursor)
> 
>   * External links in Release Notes are confusing
>     These can't possibly work, it would be nice if we
>     can disable them to avoid confusion.
> 
>   * Space does not page down in Release Notes
>     I am so used to use space to page down in viewers,
>     I really miss it when I can not do so.
> 
>   * Release Notes too big?
>     I found them to be too big/verbose, especially for
>     a light read during install. But maybe it's just me.
> 
> Hope this helps, and thank you again for the excellent installer.
> 
> -- 
> Dimi Paun <dimi at lattica.com>
> Lattica, Inc.
>