Hi Mad,      ...In a msg of , Mad Moose Mike wrote:

 SM>> trudging up the Linux learning curve can use up a lot of time.  These
 SM>> days I no longer spend much time just fooling around or RTFM for fun,
 SM>> but instead just learn what I need to solve any problems with the
 SM>> particular applications I want to run.

 MM> While I've played around with the Penguin long enuff to know it's ways
 MM> fairly well, it's just a pain chasing down all those text config files

Right after the whole "compiling source code" fetish that Linux folks
indulge in, the "text config file" tradition irks me.  Unless the text
config file is extremely well documented (like the MS-DOS MaxiMoose
config file was) I've always preferred a menu-driven configuration
utility that handles syntax for me.  I be spoiled, I guess.

 MM> Even when you track down all the varied locations, you then have lots of
 MM> horn-scratching to do in order to decipher the cryptic language of said
 MM> config files' keywords...

Oh yeah.  Even if you're a native English speaker and the programmer's
mother tongue was English, there's no guarantee that the programmer
can actually communicate in English.  When you add documentation that
needed to be translated or was written by a programmer with English as
a second or third language, there are whole new levels of possible
"fun" for the innocent Linux user.


 SM>> In fact, at times I worry that I might eventually change from being a
 SM>> "computer hobbyist" into being a "turn-key
user".  The horror!  The
 SM>> horror, eh?

 MM> You're not thinking of Apples, I hope...

Nope.  At times, tho, I have this dream of buying a computer with
Windows installed and then only needing to maybe install a few little
utilities that I like.  Basically, one of those situations where you
turn on the power and your computer is ready to do all the things you
want it to do...

I've a suspicion that the only way to make this "dream" a reality is
to pay for on-site technical support for ever and ever and ever.  Even
then, with Windows there's the chance that the dream would
occasionally still turn into a nightmare.

Considering Windows reliability, I believe that my last two paragraphs
easily fill this message's requirement for some of that there
obligatory MooseChat humor.

 SM>> after over four years of using Linux, I'm only now wanting a
 SM>> few applications that I'll need to compile myself.  Unfortunately, so
 SM>> far the "make" utility seems best at making lists of
error messages.

 MM> I've muchly had the same experiences... I've pretty much given up on the
 MM> source code dance, and have decided to wait until someone decides to

I've heard a rumor that the default command line switch for the make
utility ends up with a command that reads...

make --mess

;-)

 MM> release some working pre-compiled Linux releases of Squish and/or
 MM> MaxiMoose.

Assuming I have a chance of tracking him down and then cajoling a
reply, I may just pass that thought to the guy who did the Linux port.

 SM>> Hmmmmmmmmm.  I'm not sure if this message had any of that obligatory
 SM>> MooseChat humor or silliness.  I think I may have come close with the
 SM>> "I may have a life" stuff, tho.  Still, maybe I
should have thrown in
 SM>> a few puns, eh?  I wish I had the knack of writing punishing prose.

 MM> Just the thought of Meese dancing around with Penguins is comic relief
 MM> enuff, I'd think...

Right you are!  Thank you for pointing that out.

Besides, we need to fill our message traffic quota somehow.


YitWotM,           ...Steve

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The earth is 98% full - please delete anyone you can.

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