On Sun, 13 Jan 2008 16:00:20 +0100, Michael Schmarck wrote:

> > It is a lot more comfortable for the first-time installer.
> 
> Why's that?

Because a first-time installer benefits from the confidence given by
using an official install disc.

> > It also allows you to install without a network 
> > connection if you have a single CD containing the handbook, tools,
> > portage snapshot and stage files. 
> 
> How do you get that stuff (the Install CD)? By downloading? Why
> can't you download the handbook, snapshot and stage tar ball as
> well at that time? And what "tools" are you talking about? fdisk?
> chroot?

Everything needed can be obtained by downloading one ISO image and
burning it to CD. There's no need for extra trips back the the netted
computer to fetch things you discover you need after reading the
handbook, or partway through the install.
 
> 
> > So while an official install disc is not necessary for installation
> > for many people, it is a part of what Gentoo should offer. 
> 
> I disagree. Maybe it's a bonus if it's offered, but then it "always"
> has to be up-to-date. And that, obviously, cannot be done right now.
> So I'd rather say, that it would be better, if there were no install
> CD at all.

But it can be done. The basic CD is a minimal live CD with portage
snapshots and stage tarballs, which is relatively easy to keep up to
date. What is holding the process back in the insistence on including a
full desktop and graphical installer on the CD, which is a complete
waste of effort IMO.

I would prefer releng to concentrate on producing the traditional style
minimal CD, with the installer project releasing their own discs based on
this when they are able.


-- 
Neil Bothwick

When you choke a smurf, what color does it turn?