debian-installer should use GTK installer (installgui in Debian) in Alternate CD

[Jonathan Marsaud]

Binary package hint: debian-installer

Hi,

Debian provides a debian-installer that can be more "simply" by to be graphic (GTK2+).

For test it, type "installgui" on a Debian CD prompt.

I think it may be useful to do not « worries » new users who use Alternate CD (Some time, it's the only one solution to install Ubuntu, not a reserved powerfull user method of Installation).

Plus, it does not use a lot of memory like "Install Ubuntu" Hardy Desktop CD (== run Ubiquity without GNOME session, I don't speak about full-session with Ubiquity ("Try and install" Ubuntu label), because it does not require a full system loaded to run it.

Sorry for my poor technical english, of course, you can try this with a Debian ISO.

Idea : You can include the GTK installer and run it by default in Alternate Ubuntu CD, and keep up the old ncurses debian-installer via F4 button (like OEM mode or Command line system.

[Colin Watson (cjwatson)]

I was substantially involved in the work leading to the GTK installer in Debian, and even so I do not think it is suitable yet. In my opinion, it needs substantially more work on customised versions of particular widgets (notably the partitioner) before it buys anything much other than reduced reliability due to the extra software involved. We use GTK/DirectFB nowhere else and it's quite possible that it will fail on certain hardware where the text-based installer works perfectly; the installation experience it provides will have to be very significantly better before it's worth it.

[Jonathan Marsaud (zic)]

Thanks for your technical answer !

However, is it possible to include it "via" an option , not by default, like Debian ? In the new F4 menu of Hardy CDs boot ? (Like OEM and Command Line System) ?

I'm one of the main organisers of release party, in France, and many times we are confronted to use the Alternate CD.
Yeah, it's simple to use when you understand : Navigate with the keyboard, SPACE for select, Enter for valid your choice.

I'm also active on #ubuntu-fr channels, and we saw many times question like « How do I select in Alternate installer ? ».
It's why my purpose of GTK installer (easy to click with a mouse) :)

Sorry to bother you, and thanks to spend time.

[Jonathan Marsaud (zic)]

Not related question : Why don't use this method of GTK/DirectFB in DesktopCD ? There is a new option entitled "Install Ubuntu" (which is different of Try and Install Ubuntu) in the Hardy DesktopCD.
This option load a full system in the memory, but not run GNOME session, just Ubiquity. What is the technical problem to use Ubiquity with GTK/DirectFB ?

Sorry to disturb the main subject.

[Colin Watson (cjwatson)]

We may include it in the future as a non-default option, yes, though I think not for 8.04 at this point.

We preferred to offer something much closer to a full desktop environment for Ubiquity; it makes much more sense on a live CD. Yes, there are memory problems, but on the other hand it's vaguely similar to what we're supporting elsewhere and so the maintenance burden is lower. I'm not keen on us having to support Ubiquity both in X ("Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer" -> click "Install") and in DirectFB!

[Jonathan Marsaud (zic)]

"I'm not keen on us having to support Ubiquity both in X ("Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer" -> click "Install") and in DirectFB!"

Don't worries ! You do a great job ;)

Thanks to spend time in this "bug".