the problem with Linux?

[Moniz Family]

Noah John Gellner wrote:

>I agree with this statement in general, but find that when I have
>problems this issue is that I can't find the file to edit. For example:
>* Squirrelmail gives me an error about not being able to find
>/usr/games/fortune, but it is there and I can execute it from the
>command line? What is it looking for. There is probably some file that
>needs to be edited but I have no idea which one and can't find anything
>about it on the web
>* realplayer hijacked by flash settings and now I can't open *.swf files
>in mozilla. There is clearly some file that needs to be edited but it
>isn't /etc/mime-types. I have no idea what it is
>* switchdesk relies on some file for its desktop selections. I don't
>know what it is and end up having to edit the destination file by hand -
>no problem except that it is a clumsy workaround.
>
>There are more issues, but like the ones above none are not deal
>breakers, but they might be if I wasn't into fooling around with my
>machine.
>
>In my experience the problem with Linux is that these files are located
>all over the place, and are not always obvious or even close to obvious.
>The result is that if you are adding and removing applications there are
>is a constant requirement for hacks and work arounds. On response is
>that users shouldn't be constantly adding and subtracting applications,
>but in my opinion that is a pretty weak solution. Given that users will
>add and remove applications there process should be possible. 
>  
>
I'm just going through something similar. I wanted to install 
"listener", which requires the libsndfile libraries, which I installed 
(compiled) in /usr/local/lib. Then I compiled listener from 
/usr/local/listener-0.4 directory. When I run listener, it can't find a 
library that was installed from the libsndfile libraries. The library 
exists and I tried locating it in several places, but it always says it 
doesn't exist. I have run into this various times doing other compiles 
and it definitely is a weakness of linux for a regular user. As long as 
I can rpm, I'm OK, but tar balls are a pain. And not every program is 
packaged.

>
>On Tue, 2004-04-06 at 23:23, Jeremy Wakeman wrote:
>  
>
>> I think the best direction for configuration tools
>>aimed at end users (esp people new to non-proprietary operating systems)
>>is to design a good-looking, intuitive GUI that is, in function, as close to
>>"edit the /etc/program.conf file" as possible.
>>
>>That's what makes sense to me.
>>
>>-Jeremy
>>    
>>

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