Minimal install (was: Re: Features for FC4)

[W. Guy Thomas]

On Mon, 2004-11-15 at 21:01 -0600, Rodolfo J. Paiz wrote:
> On Sat, 2004-11-13 at 08:04 -0500, Jeff Spaleta wrote:
> > Several people have been vocal... and in the past 2+ years several
> > people have gotten excited by the idea, and then wandered off never to
> > return with something other people can test. 
> > 
> 
> Bullshit.
> 
> Every release since Red Hat Linux 9, I have carefully pruned the minimal
> install down to a significantly smaller size while respecting every
> bloody dependency and still keeping the system friendly for even a
> newbie. Admittedly this is a chubbier "minimal" package list than the
> "just-boot-the-box" crowd may want, but it's still on average 200MB
> smaller than the distro's version.
> 
> Every time, I write a HOWTO on trimming the fat from the install. Every
> time, about 500 people per month read the thing.
> 
> Every time, I try to offer feedback to the developers. I requested the
> separation of vim-common (10MB!) from vim-minimal (450K), and I
> requested the removal of rhpl's dependency on synaptics just now for FC3
> (which will be patched later).
> 
> > Maybe I missed something,
> > 
> 
> No kidding. I see Satish already posted the interim URL to my latest doc
> for FC3; check it again if you already read it as I just posted a more
> recent version.
> 
> > but I haven't seen an alternative comps.xml file show up in the devel
> > or test list for community to test.
> 
> I just found that file, for the first time in my life. No one ever
> suggested it to me, and I can find no documentation for it. In the YEARS
> that I have worked on this one subject, NOT ONE DAMN PERSON has ever
> said "hey... go modify the comps.xml file". Check the archives, all I do
> is publicly posted.
> 
> It's 8000 lines long for Chrissakes, and even if I'm sure I can
> eventually parse it that's NOT the point. You want a comps.xml file?
> Then bloody freaking make it clear to people who are NOT programmers how
> to read and write the thing. Don't go mouthing off about no one doing
> any work.
> 
> Frankly, I'm not only pissed at your attitude, I'm also disappointed by
> it. Not the usual intelligent, productive, and useful commentary I
> expect from you. Can you at least point me to a doc showing the
> structure of that thing, so we get some value out of your contribution
> to this thread?
> 
> *grmbl* *grmbl* *hiss*
> 
> -- 
> Rodolfo J. Paiz <rpaiz at simpaticus.com>
> 

my vote for best vent of the year.
Rodolfo, could you post your minimal install doc link here please?

thanks.


-- 
=Guy
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