ubuntu-ngo team mailing list archive

[Daniel Holbach <daniel.holbach@xxxxxxxxxx>]

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Bjoern Hassler schrieb:
> Skype is in medibuntu, and Opera is in 'partner', and instructions are
> available in the community documentation.
> 
> However, I was wondering how easy this could be made. I think that (for
> the average user) the instructions are still too complicated.
> 
> Would be possible to create a 'facility' that would add those
> repositories to Ubuntu-NGO by default? For instance, an "Install
> proprietary applications" 'application' (available via 'Add/Remove
> software') that is part of the default repository, and comes up when you
> search for skype/opera (and other proprietary apps that are useful for
> the Ubuntu-NGO world).

"Add/Remove software" currently only shows the Canonical partner
repository in "proprietary".

It's the only direct source of proprietary software in Ubuntu, because
all the legal paperwork (distribution agreements, etc.) have been made
by Canonical and everybody's on the safe side.


> This "Install proprietary applications" application would be described
> as "Install this application to get your system ready for installing
> proprietary applications, such as Skype, Opera, [etc]. When installation
> has finished, please go to the '...' menu and launch this application.
> You will then have the option to install various proprietary applications."
> 
> You then go ahead and install the app, and run it, upon which you can
> select what else you want to install. The application the modifies your
> repository settings, and installs whatever you have selected. (I am not
> proposing that this "Install proprietary applications" application
> should cover all possible applications, but it would cover what is
> useful to the Ubuntu-NGO world, and those applications might be
> mentioned in Ubuntu-NGO documentation we assemble.)
> 
> Perhaps something like this exists already, but while it's perfectly
> possible to install Opera for the more technically minded user, it would
> be good to really make it as easy as possible. (To illustrate the
> problem: A few notes on Opera install here:
> http://www.sciencemedianetwork.org/wiki/Extra_applications_for_Ubuntu#Opera :
> It turned out that on Hardy, the partner repo didn't work for some
> reason, and I had to choose one of the alternative methods. Not a big
> deal for a moderately technical user, but IMHO a show stopper for a
> general user.)
> 
> So perhaps we have this already, or perhaps there's also a legal reason
> why this isn't a good idea, so keen to hear your feedback!

Could this help with the installation?
	https://wiki.ubuntu.com/AptFirefoxFileHandler

Legally, I don't know what the redistribution details are and I think in
whatever form you try to simplify the installation of proprietary
software, you need to be very clear with the user about what they're
installing. Not only in terms of license, but also that there's no bug
tracker for these applications and that we have no way of fixing them
and that they're not part of our project. Also about the expectations
around updates/fixes/etc. and level of trust with "community repositories".

I know this answer does not solve your problems, but the problem is a
tough one.

Have a great day,
 Daniel
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