Comments on: Is there any valid reason to use Automatix? http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2007/01/30/is-there-any-valid-reason-to-use-automatix/ Enhancing your Ubuntu experience! Fri, 11 May 2012 05:04:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Nekohay’blog » Blog Archive » Automatix, c’est le mal http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2007/01/30/is-there-any-valid-reason-to-use-automatix/#comment-760 Nekohay’blog » Blog Archive » Automatix, c’est le mal Sat, 04 Aug 2007 17:27:07 +0000 http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/?p=258#comment-760 [...] voilà, le problème est là: c’est des très sales hacks, et ça a déjà été dit plusieurs fois. Je suis conscient que mon propre installateur est programmé plutôt maladroitement, mais [...] [...] voilà, le problème est là: c’est des très sales hacks, et ça a déjà été dit plusieurs fois. Je suis conscient que mon propre installateur est programmé plutôt maladroitement, mais [...]

]]> By: Reader X http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2007/01/30/is-there-any-valid-reason-to-use-automatix/#comment-759 Reader X Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:29:18 +0000 http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/?p=258#comment-759 There's <i>nothing</i> rude about commenting on a desire to understand one's system. It would have been rude if it were claimed "only lazy idiots need Automatix because they're too dumb and apathetic to learn how easy Ubuntu is already." But that's not what was said. The author simply said they no longer had a need for Automatix because they preferred to learn the system as it was meant to be used. I'm also at that stage. I want to remove Automatix because I find it completely unnecessary for my usage, as well. I installed it during my first month on Ubuntu because I read a number of testimonials saying how easy it made things. Fact is, I don't remember having used it because it turned out there wasn't anything difficult about Ubuntu (for me). Now, I'm just trying to make sure Automatix is off my computer because Ubuntu does not recommend it due to many supposed conflicts whereby Automatix can possibly hurt your Ubuntu installation. A quick search on Google to find methods to make <i>certain</i> Automatix is no longer on my PC because it seems to be gone, but I just wasn't sure if apt-get remove automatix was enough to purge it off Edgy or not, before I upgrade to Feisty. But that neurotically defensive overreaction of "completely unnecessary and rude" caught my eye and I wanted to respond to it: calm down. If you see value in Automatix, use it. If you don't, then avoid/remove it in order to forestall any potential conflicts. There’s nothing rude about commenting on a desire to understand one’s system. It would have been rude if it were claimed “only lazy idiots need Automatix because they’re too dumb and apathetic to learn how easy Ubuntu is already.” But that’s not what was said. The author simply said they no longer had a need for Automatix because they preferred to learn the system as it was meant to be used.

I’m also at that stage. I want to remove Automatix because I find it completely unnecessary for my usage, as well.

I installed it during my first month on Ubuntu because I read a number of testimonials saying how easy it made things. Fact is, I don’t remember having used it because it turned out there wasn’t anything difficult about Ubuntu (for me).

Now, I’m just trying to make sure Automatix is off my computer because Ubuntu does not recommend it due to many supposed conflicts whereby Automatix can possibly hurt your Ubuntu installation. A quick search on Google to find methods to make certain Automatix is no longer on my PC because it seems to be gone, but I just wasn’t sure if apt-get remove automatix was enough to purge it off Edgy or not, before I upgrade to Feisty. But that neurotically defensive overreaction of “completely unnecessary and rude” caught my eye and I wanted to respond to it: calm down. If you see value in Automatix, use it. If you don’t, then avoid/remove it in order to forestall any potential conflicts.

]]> By: Josh http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2007/01/30/is-there-any-valid-reason-to-use-automatix/#comment-758 Josh Thu, 01 Feb 2007 15:45:23 +0000 http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/?p=258#comment-758 GliderMike is right on. Not to mention Automatix offers some useful scripts that I don't want to spend time implementing on my own ('edit as root', etc). Until these features are fully implemented, I will continue to use and love Automatix. It's never hosed any of my systems and I've never had problems with it. GliderMike is right on. Not to mention Automatix offers some useful scripts that I don’t want to spend time implementing on my own (‘edit as root’, etc). Until these features are fully implemented, I will continue to use and love Automatix. It’s never hosed any of my systems and I’ve never had problems with it.

]]> By: Rich http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2007/01/30/is-there-any-valid-reason-to-use-automatix/#comment-757 Rich Thu, 01 Feb 2007 03:53:36 +0000 http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/?p=258#comment-757 It's this very attitude that actually turns many people off to Linux in general. People are used to the Microsoft and Apple way of doing things, with detailed help files and wizards and point-and-click simplicity. I'm not saying that Automatix is a good idea simply because it makes things more Windows-like, but it does make things easier. Would a computer newbie know which package to choose among Synaptic's 900,000 packages in order to enable DVD playback? I doubt it... would they even know what "deCSS" is? Doubt it. Automatix helps narrow down the multitude of choices into a simple menu that people can understand. Ubuntu has a similar system, called "Add/Remove Programs" I believe, but why on earth does it not have the things we find in Automatix? Is it so wrong to want a simple one-click install of Wine or Picasa? If Linux is ever going to be used in place of Windows or OSX, it's going to have to be easier to use... Ubuntu's easily the easiest to use, but it still has a long way to go, and if key players in the Linux community can't see the value of something like Automatix and just shun it because it's not all FOSS, then Linux will never reach its true potential. It’s this very attitude that actually turns many people off to Linux in general. People are used to the Microsoft and Apple way of doing things, with detailed help files and wizards and point-and-click simplicity. I’m not saying that Automatix is a good idea simply because it makes things more Windows-like, but it does make things easier. Would a computer newbie know which package to choose among Synaptic’s 900,000 packages in order to enable DVD playback? I doubt it… would they even know what “deCSS” is? Doubt it. Automatix helps narrow down the multitude of choices into a simple menu that people can understand. Ubuntu has a similar system, called “Add/Remove Programs” I believe, but why on earth does it not have the things we find in Automatix? Is it so wrong to want a simple one-click install of Wine or Picasa? If Linux is ever going to be used in place of Windows or OSX, it’s going to have to be easier to use… Ubuntu’s easily the easiest to use, but it still has a long way to go, and if key players in the Linux community can’t see the value of something like Automatix and just shun it because it’s not all FOSS, then Linux will never reach its true potential.

]]> By: Ubuntu Tutorials http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2007/01/30/is-there-any-valid-reason-to-use-automatix/#comment-756 Ubuntu Tutorials Wed, 31 Jan 2007 20:26:16 +0000 http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/?p=258#comment-756 I want to thank everyone for the flood in responses. I actually learned a lot about Automatix and EasyUbuntu that I hadn't previously known. I did not intend to be offensive, although I see now how I came across that way. The post was mainly bourne of curiosity & that has been appeased at this point. I think the overall is that these programs can be helpful, and I think the authors had the right intent in creating them. Future Ubuntu improvements are being made based on the foundation these laid so everyone wins. Thank You. I want to thank everyone for the flood in responses. I actually learned a lot about Automatix and EasyUbuntu that I hadn’t previously known.

I did not intend to be offensive, although I see now how I came across that way. The post was mainly bourne of curiosity & that has been appeased at this point.

I think the overall is that these programs can be helpful, and I think the authors had the right intent in creating them. Future Ubuntu improvements are being made based on the foundation these laid so everyone wins. Thank You.

]]> By: luptinpitman http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2007/01/30/is-there-any-valid-reason-to-use-automatix/#comment-755 luptinpitman Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:28:31 +0000 http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/?p=258#comment-755 I seems strange to me that such an awesome and useful site such as this one could post such an elitist and snobbish question about the merits of an app that was created to ease us m$ zombies into the wonderfulness that is Linux in general and Ubuntu specifically. Just kind of hit me funny and strangely upset me. Everyone seems to pretty much understand that Automatix and EasyUbunut are crutches and can cause problems, though the overwhelming majority opinion has been that they are useful and necessary "evils". I was wondering if you found your answer to the question posed? Side note: awesome hookup on this one :) http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2007/01/31/consolidate-your-gnome-menus-with-gnome-main-menu-ubuntu-610/ I seems strange to me that such an awesome and useful site such as this one could post such an elitist and snobbish question about the merits of an app that was created to ease us m$ zombies into the wonderfulness that is Linux in general and Ubuntu specifically. Just kind of hit me funny and strangely upset me.

Everyone seems to pretty much understand that Automatix and EasyUbunut are crutches and can cause problems, though the overwhelming majority opinion has been that they are useful and necessary “evils”.

I was wondering if you found your answer to the question posed?

Side note: awesome hookup on this one :) http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2007/01/31/consolidate-your-gnome-menus-with-gnome-main-menu-ubuntu-610/

]]> By: Bruce Cowan http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2007/01/30/is-there-any-valid-reason-to-use-automatix/#comment-754 Bruce Cowan Wed, 31 Jan 2007 13:58:31 +0000 http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/?p=258#comment-754 AFAIK, Automatix installs stuff that could already could be installed with aptitude. Media support is as easy as sudo aptitude install gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly-multiverse gstrenaer0.10-ffmpeg Which is easier, copying and pasting the above into a terminal, or downloading a package off a website, installing it, running it, ticking some boxes, and then buggering up your machine in the sources.list replacement. I used Automatix once a long time ago, it replaced my sources.list (with gb mirror) with its us mirror. Why does it expect everyone is in the US? AFAIK, Automatix installs stuff that could already could be installed with aptitude.

Media support is as easy as sudo aptitude install gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly-multiverse
gstrenaer0.10-ffmpeg

Which is easier, copying and pasting the above into a terminal, or downloading a package off a website, installing it, running it, ticking some boxes, and then buggering up your machine in the sources.list replacement.

I used Automatix once a long time ago, it replaced my sources.list (with gb mirror) with its us mirror. Why does it expect everyone is in the US?

]]> By: Arpad Gered http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2007/01/30/is-there-any-valid-reason-to-use-automatix/#comment-753 Arpad Gered Wed, 31 Jan 2007 08:01:37 +0000 http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/?p=258#comment-753 Most of Automatix' merits and flaws have already been mentioned. Also, that Feisty will have a lot of new features that renders Automatix partially obsolete. What has been omitted is, that these features are introduced because of apps like Automatix, EasyUbuntu etc. Firstly, those apps and their wide use showed, that their features were much wanted (the previous posts list most reasons why). Secondly, those apps caused problems, especially when upgrading, so that supported solutions had to be created. Where there's light, there's always shadow, but in the end we all will benefit. So if Automatix and Co have no other merits, then at least they brought us supported apps ... and lots of users. Now some remarks to Automatix itself: It has always been contoversial. Originally released under some special license, it was forked (the forks are dead, as far as I know), later it switched to GPL. Also it employed a lot of external repositories and was considered one big nasty hack. Version 2.0 has been completely rewritten and it is no longer developed by a single person, arnieboy, but a team (the website lists two developers, there were more, last time I checked). Also Automatix no longer adds external repositories, only multiverse and universe. Apps not included in those repositories are downloaded as debs. I've used Automatix since my very first Ubuntu, Hoary, which I then upgraded till Dapper. Edgy was my first fresh install. I'm one of the lucky ones, since I've never encountered any problems I couldn't fix and none I definitely know Automatix caused. Most of Automatix’ merits and flaws have already been mentioned. Also, that Feisty will have a lot of new features that renders Automatix partially obsolete.

What has been omitted is, that these features are introduced because of apps like Automatix, EasyUbuntu etc.

Firstly, those apps and their wide use showed, that their features were much wanted (the previous posts list most reasons why).

Secondly, those apps caused problems, especially when upgrading, so that supported solutions had to be created. Where there’s light, there’s always shadow, but in the end we all will benefit. So if Automatix and Co have no other merits, then at least they brought us supported apps … and lots of users.

Now some remarks to Automatix itself: It has always been contoversial. Originally released under some special license, it was forked (the forks are dead, as far as I know), later it switched to GPL. Also it employed a lot of external repositories and was considered one big nasty hack.

Version 2.0 has been completely rewritten and it is no longer developed by a single person, arnieboy, but a team (the website lists two developers, there were more, last time I checked). Also Automatix no longer adds external repositories, only multiverse and universe. Apps not included in those repositories are downloaded as debs.

I’ve used Automatix since my very first Ubuntu, Hoary, which I then upgraded till Dapper. Edgy was my first fresh install. I’m one of the lucky ones, since I’ve never encountered any problems I couldn’t fix and none I definitely know Automatix caused.

]]> By: Tony Yarusso http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2007/01/30/is-there-any-valid-reason-to-use-automatix/#comment-730 Tony Yarusso Wed, 31 Jan 2007 05:34:38 +0000 http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/?p=258#comment-730 My knowledge of Automatix comes from watching very patient people try to help new users with disaster recovery when it makes things go terribly wrong, so I would be inclined to stay far, far away. My knowledge of Automatix comes from watching very patient people try to help new users with disaster recovery when it makes things go terribly wrong, so I would be inclined to stay far, far away.

]]> By: GliderMike http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2007/01/30/is-there-any-valid-reason-to-use-automatix/#comment-736 GliderMike Wed, 31 Jan 2007 04:15:23 +0000 http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/?p=258#comment-736 I have used Linux long enough to easily be able to install everything Automatix does. The key though is that I don't WANT to. Don't underestimate Automatix. It is a large part of what makes Ubuntu so great. Nobody wants to spend hours setting up codecs, media players, MP3 support, etc. That's exactly the kind of stuff people want to just work. If you want greater adoption, than support this kind of great work...don't shun it. Feel free to lay out an alternative of installing it all manually. Just understand that the MAINSTREAM user does not want to do that. I am not a MAINSTREAM user. I still have a lot to learn but I would consider myself am an advanced user. I still would prefer to let it be "automatic(x)" and get on with my business. You have to support great helpful items such as this if you ever want desktop Linux to be adopted enough so that you won't have to lobby for hardware drivers and key software ports. Don't bite the hand that feeds you, better yet, integrate it into the distro itself. I have used Linux long enough to easily be able to install everything Automatix does. The key though is that I don’t WANT to. Don’t underestimate Automatix. It is a large part of what makes Ubuntu so great. Nobody wants to spend hours setting up codecs, media players, MP3 support, etc. That’s exactly the kind of stuff people want to just work. If you want greater adoption, than support this kind of great work…don’t shun it. Feel free to lay out an alternative of installing it all manually. Just understand that the MAINSTREAM user does not want to do that. I am not a MAINSTREAM user. I still have a lot to learn but I would consider myself am an advanced user. I still would prefer to let it be “automatic(x)” and get on with my business.

You have to support great helpful items such as this if you ever want desktop Linux to be adopted enough so that you won’t have to lobby for hardware drivers and key software ports.

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you, better yet, integrate it into the distro itself.

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