Shoot me now

[Jim Howarth]

> > Such things as a standardized prompt, putting the current path
> in the path
> > for regular users (not root).. I'm sure there would be a few
> other things.
>
> Standarized prompt? Why on earth would you want to do that? It has nothing
> to do with app portability and users can change their prompt anyway
> so apps can't depend on this. Standardizing htis is of absoultely
> no value.

I disagree...  keep in mind that Linux is no longer staying the UberGeek
operating system of choice.. we are trying to push it into markets where
your mom and dad will be using it.  We may succeed at this...  we may not.
Simple little things as standardizing a prompt will make their lives easier.
I'm not talking about incorporating bashprompt into it.. I'm talking about
something as simple as the path, user/host and maybe time of day.

> > This would be nice...  BS and Del are  presently something that
> drives me
> > insane...  this is one of those things from dos that I miss..
> the ability
>
> Having standard BS/Del behavior would fit into the terminal specification
> I think. However, we should keep in mind termios and not specify apps that
> won't work via telnet or remote displays.


Also keep in mind that while Linux is primarily a server platform OS, it
_may_ not stay that way for long.  Again.. its the little things that make
transitions from Windows to Linux easier that will make a world of
difference. I don't want to get into an MS/Linux debate here, but MS has
developed(Heh.. or stolen) a lot of good UI ideas that have kept them on
top.  The new user to Linux should be able to expect a smooth transition or
they will just run away..  not only run but will tell a few people about
their unhappy experience along the way.  Which as any good marketing exec
will tell you, is very bad.

When I started with Linux almost 3 years ago the learning curve was
staggering...  I have no clue how I got through it all...  I'm still
learning.  My hope is that the people creating the standards will keep the
newbies in mind.  Hell.. I had my Chiropractor asking me about Linux the
other day... this is a guy that hardly touches a computer.

Jim