Need improved wizards

[HW_Hack]

I've focused on IMHO the 3 issues that I feel any user (new or techie) EXPECT TO WORK or at least get considerable help from an advanced OS like Linux. Wireless and Media access



First and most important --- Wireless Driver Wizard
THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE and one that probably leads many AVERAGE users to abandon Linux in general or a specific distro. Most distro forums on wireless are filled with misery and confusion for those poor souls who have a laptop whose wireless chipset is not openly supported. Ubuntu and Linux in general are losing thousands of converts weekly on this issue alone. My Dell has the BCM4318 anti-christ chipset - but I'm pretty technical and have done the NDISwrapper a few times. BUT I'M TECHNICAL and I WANTED LINUX. The average Joe ain't gonna hack it.
Recently I helped a friend move to Ubuntu - only to learn that he had the wireless chip from hell - BCM4309 --- after numerous attempts I was ready to give up and then I found Linuxant.com --- yes they charge $20 for their service --- BUT THEIR WIRELESS WIZARD WORKED FLAWLESSLY . Basically it allows you to try multiple driver.sys files until you find one that works (and they tell you it works). Basically its an automated NDISwrapper installer + tester + remover ..... all the user should have to do is collect a few possible driver sets and drop them on the desktop. I had to go thru 3 different drivers and BINGO it worked on the 3rd driver set -- less than 5 minutes I had the chipset from hell working.

Lastly - if the wireless wizard is not working (as will happen) there should be a "DUMP SYSTEM CONFIG" button that dumps all the most needed system / config files / logs into one txt file that can be posted for help --------- Lets try to help the new guys NOT PUNISH THEM.

Second is Wireless Config
I've yet to move to Kubuntu on my laptop (thats next) - but under Ubuntu Gnome once you get your wireless working it only supports an Open Network OR WEP. WTF You then need to go thru a bunch of "script hell" to get support for WPA etc. ---- totally F'ed up --- I have to say that Microsoft's wireless Zero-Config software leaves Ubuntu in the dust. In fact on the above friends laptop I finally said screw it and loaded WICD and had "advanced wireless" config and setup working in minutes.


Second -- Media Codecs
I've only had trouble here a few times - but its frustrating. A user should be able to look at a few different Media apps (down load and look at the features / look and feel) --- and then open the Media Wizard. In the Media Wizard you select which of the apps you've down loaded you want to use for all your media use -- the wizard then walks you thru setting up codecs and even adding plug-ins etc.

[clickwir]

Re: Need improved wizards

I'm going to say that the need for a wireless driver wizard is obsolete now. Not even ndiswrapper is needed as much as it used to, and even when it is, it's all done for you.

Gutsy was a huge improvement in the wireless area. With the BCM chip in my laptop, I got a window come up and tell me "look what I found, wanna use it?" I checked the box and opened firefox. No need to waste time with a "user friendly" wizard. It's just done.

Kubuntu Gutsy worked great with WPA using KNetworkManager. I thought it was easier and more reliable than the one in Windows XP.

Media codecs. Are either "here, run this apt-get command" and it's done or are now a window that comes up when you try to play a mp3 (for example). It's much like the wireless BCM driver, the system automatically see's you are trying to use it, offers a simple way (check box or single button) to enable it, wait a min and it's done. It's really not that complicated any more. And don't forget there are some legal reasons behind them.

As for the Media Wizard, it sounds more complicated and a hassle than I think you are trying to convey. What's the point of going into one program to tell another program that I'm going to use it as my media player? Wouldn't I just go into the one I want to use.... and ... USE IT? What's the other step for? If you don't want the other app, DON'T USE IT. There's no need to have another window that chooses one for you. Oh wait, I know what you are thinking of... you're thinking of the Windows program Access and Defaults. Oh damn what an awful way of doing things. I hate that thing.

Setting the default app to open files is easier done in the program that you are going to use to open that file or in Konqueror's file associations option.

[claydoh]

Re: Need improved wizards

I agree here. I recently bought 2 ultra cheap wireless cards, my first ever foray into the world of wep/wpa/ssid, etc, and was prepared to jump through hoops getting these broadcom-chipped devices to work. Which by the way, was the very reason I got them.m Much to my amazement, I had little to do to get them running in Mythbuntu (an older machine) and VectorLinux (on a 10 year old laptop/doorstop). Heck I don't even have to configure my printer anymore. I opened up my printer dialog, and it was already set up in Hardy on my main box!