ubuntu-ngo team mailing list archive

[Bjoern Hassler <bjoern@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi again,

> > * Skype. We've used skype quite effectively for communicating
> > North<->South, so ideally one would bundle skype (which I guess isn't
> > possible legally), but at least one can add the repositories, and  
> > tell
> > users how then can download the package prior to installation (i.e.  
> > part
> > of the "How-to make Add-on CD for Ubuntu"). Of course there are other
> > messenger applications, and they should be included also. But skype I
> > think is quite important, because many co-workers may already have
> > skype, and may find it difficult to get other apps on non-linux  
> > boxes.
>
> As you said: we can't include it in Ubuntu, maybe it's something that
> could be in Canonical's partner repository. I don't know.
...
> > * Opera 10 has got 'Opera Turbo', where traffic is routed via an  
> > Opera
> > server, and optimised. (Similar idea to Opera Mini.) I've used this
> > quite successfully over GPRS, and it does make a real difference.  
> > Again,
> > it probably can't be bundled, but the repositories should be set  
> > up, and
> > again there should be instructions how to download the package with  
> > view
> > to install lateron.
>
> Same as for skype.

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).

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!

All the best,
Bjoern