unnecessarily user-friendly? So... it's *too* user friendly? - misread your statement.

And I run Linux as well... find me the option to "install from file" in Synaptic... one of the most commonly used apt front-ends in debian-based systems?

Right you are; I did not mean that every distro was better than this one in each and every respect.

But show me the distro that has a file manager that hides most of the files on the computer. All of the distros I have used have file managers that show all the main files, and most file managers have an eye or something that you click to see files that are normally invisible.

The concept is that unlike Microsoft, Linux prefers to let users see what is really going on, rather than hide things, even if they ARE complex. This is a big philosophical issue if you compare, say, running a government like China, where the people can't even see the deliberations of the people running the country, vs free countries, where everyone can see all the dirt.

When I hear people talking about protecting users from things, I reach for my revolver. (I don't have a revolver; I'm just paraphrasing a quote I saw somewhere.)

Yes, it's true that the files aren't technically invisible because you can see them from the command line, but putting obstacles in the way of users and making it harder to see them is a step down a slippery slope.

You said it better than me. I totally agree.

While this may be true.. maybe something missed your guys' attention: Linux is the minority of the market share.

If we want to see linux on Mainstream devices.. you give users what they are accustomed to. They are accustomed to Apple and Microsoft. the default behavior of the N900 emulates this type of configuration so users are not overwhelmed by a wealth of knowledge they have no idea what to do with.

Unlike Microsoft and Apple, however, Nokia is willing to overlook your finding the keys in daddy's drawer... and screwing around in his office.

(I would have said Nokia is more than willing to *give* you the keys.. but unfortunately: Until root is available straight from flash.. they fail in this regard, IMHO.)

I think you never worked in support. Do I need to show you how people on root shell may screw their phone easily, just mistyping? The widespread of forms and GUI is not just because of fun but to keep user under control.

Even with right typing the problems are mounted with root shell, because people now Has Access! And use it.

There is only one way to avoid root shell nightmare - give the customer what he wants in more simple way (via GUI).

The lure of Linux is based on combating some things that Microsoft does even though Microsoft iS successful. If it is necessary to turn into Microsoft to beat Microsoft, it's not worth the battle.

I think you know that and agree with it.

I think that the only real disagreement is over what users really want and what they will tolerate. I think that making it easy for users to understand and control what goes on with their computers is something users very much want. Anything that makes it easier for users to do either is a good thing. Making users focus on abstruse commands is not the best way of encouraging them.

See and I'm not sure I agree there. Giving users the control they are accustomed to in an easy interface.. while retaining the capability of more advanced control is what I like.

Microsoft and Apple want to restrict you from even having the option to be advanced. I don't mind putting a pretty GUI on Linux and retaining the more advanced stuff under the hood.. in fact I think that's the only way it will appeal to users.

The problem is that users like to click things. Especially things that say "Do not click". It's like having sex as a teenager when everyone says not to in places that are inappropriate. It's not really about the sex... it's about being "naughty" .

By giving an easily installable "Install from File" a larger number of users wind up with full ROOTFS. Almost no Debian-based system uses /opt for it's files. So unless the deb file was specifically designed for Maemo - then they are dumping the entire deb onto their rootfs.. and yet your typical user has no idea what Opt is, why it's there.. what the purpose of it is..

But.. they have a little button that says "Install from file" and a WHOLLE debian repository telling them "Hey.. these are for armel! Armel is the same thing my maemo ones are for!" *clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick*.

ETA: I thought I said I was done with this discussion.. man I need to stop reading threads....

Which means they are accustomed to double-clicking on .EXE files. Your argument cuts both ways.

Well.. I'll give you that one. Except that Apple doesn't just double click "exe"'s either... however the underlying point still stands that they are accustomed to double clicking the package of their OS's preference.

OTOH: Lets explore this a minute,
the iPhone you can not just double click a package file, because there is no package file.. you have to install through the iStore (or whatever it is).

Oh Android.. you can click a package file, after setting a setting in the settings panel to not protect you from being an idiot.

A Jailbroken iPhone will give you the ability to click on a file and install.. after you've voided your warranty.

A rooted Android is a PITA, and you still have to set that setting that you're ok with being stupid.

However, both Android and iPhone apps are limited in and of themselves in their access to the systems unless rooted, and both try to protect users from themselves in some way. Apple more so than google, but both the same. so the chances of installing a horrible app that crashes the device is less on these more controlled systems.

In Maemo, otoh, all of the application management is done as root with, or without rootsh installed. Which means that all apps have full control to everything on your phone. Something never before done on any other phone out there. It's an entirely new beast. Just a checkbox saying "Ok I'm dumb." isn't quite enough in this ecosystem. And even still, they aren't preventing you from installing the app - they are just making sure you really want to be dumb in order to do it.

hi can help me about instal deb file for examble my file was dumbed, when i open file manager path showing Nokia N900/documents/
but not instaling erro coming "cannot access archive: No such file or directory error wer encounterd while processing 1.deb"