Bug 50773 – Use lynx or links2 only if possible

• Product: [OLD] Docs-user
• Status: RESOLVED FIXED

[Description Sven Vermeulen (RETIRED) 2004-05-11 10:35:15 UTC]

(Received through [e-mail] and personally later on)
(Mail from Carl Karsten)

[... Snip 5b is confusing ...]

A few things contributed.  the 5b part is where I no longer felt as though I was
understanding what I should do, but I think the problem extends to the whole
thing.

A. In general, I think the same choices should be described, but more
description on the impact they have.  "Impact" falls into two categories: things
that drive the decision, and things that are effects of the decision.  #1 should
be placed at the point the person is told they have a choice, #2 at the point
where the choice has an effect.

A good example of #1 being done well is the stage 1 2 or 3 choice.  Where I
think #1 could be done better is in 5b/5c choice.

Where I would like to see #2: "(or, in some cases, a single stage1 file)" - I
would like to know what choice(s) would determine if I do/don't have that case.
something like (or, if you are using an X or Y cd, a single stage1 file)"

B. The part that really tripped me was "If you have lynx available..." For some
reason, I figued that I should have it, so when I couldn't find it I assumed
that I had done something wrong in a previous step.  It's like an error
detecting protocol: if the checksum fails, I should go back and redo the part
that I did wrong.    After reading the lynx/links2 parts, I wonder why links2 is
ever an option.  I see the "more powerful" but I don't see where that power is
used as part of the setup. For those that want a boot cd for other things
besides setting up gentoo, get knoppix - don't make the gentoo cd more confusing
for newbies.

C. I think that there should be consistancy accross different sections with
regard to earlier hoices.  This may be the way it is done, if so then it needs
to be more clear.  I doubt this is clear, so I think some psudo code will help
make my statements clear:

2b - make your choice:
    Minimal LiveCD
    Universal LiveCD

chap 5
Present the options in the same order
    if you are using a Minimal LiveCD
        do this
    else (you are using Universal LiveCD)
        do that

Don't flip them around:
chap 5
    if you are using Universal LiveCD
        do that
    else (you are using a Minimal LiveCD)
        do this

I 'should' be able to figure out either one, but keeping the same order helps me
remember.  I am guessing it is because I am not only remembering "Universal" but
also it was the 2nd choice, and so when it comes up again, if it isn't both
"Universal" and 2nd it triggers a checksum error and off I go to see if I did
something wrong.

What would be really nice is if there was a way to checkpoint (?) or verify that
the previous steps were completed.  Or a way to test if we are ready for the
next step.

[Comment 1 Sven Vermeulen (RETIRED) 2004-08-01 03:05:14 UTC]

One step at a time :)

I've updated chapter 5 with a few phrazes to make the choice more natural. Especially since it is rather easy (not like all users have a choice, it just depends on how you install Gentoo).

[Comment 2 Sven Vermeulen (RETIRED) 2004-08-01 03:12:29 UTC]

lynx/links2 is a sad situation; I've mailed gentoo-releng about this in the hope that all LiveCDs have a common browser so we can stick with a single one. Multiple choices in this case aren't positive as the power of links2 isn't needed by the installation anyway.

[Comment 3 Sven Vermeulen (RETIRED) 2004-08-01 03:14:35 UTC]

The checkpointing stuff is handled in bug #50641; I'll try to have our document consistent wrt choices. Anyway, renaming the bug so I know it's about the lynx/links2 stuff (all the rest is covered now).

[Comment 4 Sven Vermeulen (RETIRED) 2004-08-11 06:43:20 UTC]

Committed to CVS. All your base are belong to links2 now.