From owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Tue Jun 30 18:41:50 2009 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.freebsd.org (mx1.freebsd.org [IPv6:2001:4f8:fff6::34]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 57E9F1065673 for ; Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:41:50 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from tajudd@gmail.com) Received: from mail-gx0-f210.google.com (mail-gx0-f210.google.com [209.85.217.210]) by mx1.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 122498FC22 for ; Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:41:49 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from tajudd@gmail.com) Received: by gxk6 with SMTP id 6so456926gxk.19 for ; Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:41:49 -0700 (PDT) DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=gmail.com; s=gamma; h=domainkey-signature:mime-version:received:date:message-id:subject :from:to:cc:content-type:content-transfer-encoding; bh=lYuctk2w6sJTvwtEh3OnCBeBXhfkEsmuhjXtiBE4wf4=; b=nfuXYV2W/tz0eqMv9WvOY394Wsd/ChUqA6nlhkpcHJe/iU076ZrgYT0lNFq686vI5Q 4p6vtPKLoUtJJnx57LddsmU1RueZMwVHvG5+HaW+/6o0Pr+f0p/IWtNjC+oGbpFyGWvo ua6rg8VVWN/jpqpeXuAQvM0IIXcDJKK6/ksNQ= DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; c=nofws; d=gmail.com; s=gamma; h=mime-version:date:message-id:subject:from:to:cc:content-type :content-transfer-encoding; b=Y5oZPCOTXAWkNPRA80CBTyN26CBYOgZZqJl1+sbxEjruGzD01bBIexcrcxpamjFAP6 uzGddLJEekWFObOLFBs+EBo0YR/CGCrPFDipYGHZjV+8Fqcwk8NwPq+TSR/Gmmkjl5IF d6iKDt53y/DLIgL1juAwYNlPJpKqXHEYqkeic= MIME-Version: 1.0 Received: by 10.231.19.140 with SMTP id a12mr1660088ibb.22.1246387306665; Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:41:46 -0700 (PDT) Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:41:46 -0600 Message-ID: From: Tim Judd To: Polytropon Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Cc: freebsd-questions Subject: WebInstaller (was: Re: ANNOUNCE: Custom GNOME-based FreeBSD iso released) X-BeenThere: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.5 Precedence: list List-Id: User questions List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:41:50 -0000 On 6/30/09, Polytropon wrote: > On Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:45:32 -0600, Tim Judd wrote: >> Earlier, I made hints at a webGUI install (the install medium would >> boot into X, basic setup (VESA driver @1024x768, 24 [or 16bit] >> depth)), > > Why not a choice, 800x600 for laptops with smaller screen (or > in 16:9 format for "modern" laptops) - or try to autodetect what > is REALLY on the screen (instead of assuming a "standard")? > Just a polite idea. > A 800x600 resolution is just too crowded when you try to make a system on it. I think there's more 1024x768 resolutions than 800x600. If 1024x768 doesn't work, we revert back to a console tty? I have said nothing firm as in "it's this way or no way".. I'm just trying to see reasonable defaults. > > >> run firefox or another lightweight browser > > You're a funny guy. :-) > > When talking about lightweight browser in X, strangely "dillo" comes > to my mind. Yes, I know, it's quite limited, but... And I didn't mention dillo because I don't use it or have ever seen it. "lightweight" to me is lynx. Standard is Opera, and "commonplace" is Firefox. I also have to take consideration for the scripting (if any) the installer does has to be supported by the javascript engine in the browser. So the off-the-wall browsers who aren't up with the rest of the big boys are likely to cause problems. Again, ideas and suggestions all around. Hrm.. maybe I should open up a poll/voting website that would allow this. > > > >> (even lynx in the >> console if X fails to start) > > Very good idea. > > > >> on it's own filesystem or over apache. >> Once network configuration is done, you can pull the data sets for >> your choice of WM from the internet. > > A kind of "preview screenshot" would be good - you know, users judge > from first sight primarily. :-) > Nice point. I'll have to think of a way to get this considered. a JPG would be nice, up until the X fails to start. :D I need input here: If said chosen WM is unsatisfactory to the user, how the heck can I offer a reconfiguration window? sysinstall was built with a different mindset, so we can't easily use sysinstall. If we boot off CD, we run off CD and install base off CD and WM off Internet. Post install config would be what.. Internet web/gui based? that is, the REAL Internet? Options, brainstorming please. > > >> I think this has potential, and would offer making it (already started >> on it), but I think my statements went on deaf ears when addressed to >> the broad public. > > Hmmm... I don't think so. In my opinion, it's a very good idea. > You're offering functionality (like "preinstalled and preconfigured") > in a matter that only PC-BSD serves today, and for PC-BSD, you need > quite modern hardware. It's not usable for older systems, and you > know how fast today's systems are considered "older". > well, a project like SETI@home that compiles desktop environments that stores on a central server is a dream in the works, will that work? i don't know enough programming to make that work. :( > > >> So I'll ask again if anyone else would be interested in this. > > Yes, if you include WindowMaker and support for a Sun keyboard. :-) > No, honestly; as much as I think you are bringing a good idea into > life, I prefer to completely install systems myself. The chance > that anything that I do not need to be included is too high. Of > course, you are aware that you cannot cater all kinds of intentions > with only one solution, that's impossible. But as I said, that's > only my own, unimportant point of view. WindowMaker? sure. Sun keyboard? no, absolutely not. My way, or no way. :D what do you mean by "completely install systems myself" -- that's what you're doing. You're installing a -RELEASE aren't you? you're installing a software kit that will eventually be referred to a package once it's stored on your system... Gets a big chunk out of the way. Personally, and this is for the archives, when I setup a box. I like it to be up quick. install -RELEASE. freebsd-update. pkg_add -r . port{upgrade,master}. Now you have a functioning install in less time than windows takes to install and update. :D > > > >> The >> advantage is that on this webGUI install, you can offer it (secured of >> course) over the internet for someone more technical to do the install >> or configuring, including the same post-install configuration that >> sysinstall offers. > > This would be very interesting as long as it does not require too > much additional services to be included and run. > http Basic authentication, maybe over a self-signed SSL connection. It's not like a VPN, with certificates, blowfish encryption. It's a limited life system that needs to be as secure as long as it takes to install. > > >> Anybody else think it's a good idea? > > At least an interesting idea, and this is what counts. "Good" is > always defined from the viewer's site. > > Very good point. pun intended. :) your input is appreciated. thanks. > > > > -- > Polytropon > From Magdeburg, Germany > Happy FreeBSD user since 4.0 > Andra moi ennepe, Mousa, ... >