> Ubuntu Desktop comes with all sorts of graphical programs that you may or 
> may not need. It's better to install yourself what you know you will need.

I don't mind that. But a scanner program? I don't own a scanner, why 
would I want a fancy GUI for controlling one?

>> I don't have any specific, repeatable examples. But, from memory, I once
>> had a KDE desktop, and I just wanted to install gnumeric (because
>> KSpread was rubbish). Watch as the dependency resolver decides I need to
>> download and install every GNOME library known to man - including the
>> GNOME sound system (something beginning with e?)
> 
> Well sure. If you install a GNOME app in KDE, that will happen :) Instead of 
> complaining, you should be glad all those packages get downloaded and 
> installed *automatically*.

Well, you know, I'm trying to run a GNOME program that doesn't use 
sound, yet I'm still forced to install the GNOME sound drivers. (And 
sort out the mess when it expects a different kernel driver than the one 
I'm currently using...)

Similarly, ever tried installing Linux without network support? 
Apparently it can't be done.

>> Also... Debian's dselect thing is a horrid, horrid tool! >_<
> 
> dselect still exists? I thought that was deprecated a few ice ages ago?

Possibly. I haven't used Debian recently.

Back when I tried Debian (potato?), the (text-mode) installer would 
automatically launch dselect for you, or else install a default package 
set which gives you a bash shell and a few programs like "cp", and about 
nothing else.

> Try aptitude.

That's what I use with KNOPPIX, yes... SuSE gives you Yast instead. And 
Gentoo uses Emerge. Whatever, insane package dependency chains are still 
common.

(E.g., try installing something that demands a different version of 
"glibc", and watch the anarchy that results...)

-- 
http://blog.orphi.me.uk/
http://www.zazzle.com/MathematicalOrchid*

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