Ubuntu needs Guided Help
Affects | Status | Importance | Assigned to | Milestone | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ubuntu-docs (Ubuntu) |
Invalid
|
Wishlist
|
Unassigned |
Bug Description
A common complaint about Linux is that it requires cryptic command-line operations in some circumstances.
Windows does requires cryptic command-line operations in some circumstances, but they provide a set of programs called "Guided Help" to do the operations or to help step the user through them.
Important positive details of the Microsoft implementation:
1) User may step through the operations
2) May require user intervention
3) May be saved to be run on another PC
4) May be un-done at a later date.
Important negative details of the Microsoft implementation:
1) Requires End User License Agreement
2) Is simply a .exe and indistinguishable from any other program on the PC
Considerations for a Linux implementation:
1) Should use AppArmor or SELinux to contain the Guided Help and be sure use r is aware of any unauthorized changes
2) Vendor-independence is a plus and a minus. Security MUST be considered from the ground up, and making this more than an Ubuntu project would require a more detailed architecture. However, collaboration with upstream (KDE, GNOME) and other Linux vendors (Debian, RedHat, Novell, etc.) would help make this system flexible and helpful.
3) A special filetype may be given to help distinguish the implementation instructions from other program types, for security reasons.
4) Cryptographic signatures will provide verification that the scripts are intact and attest to the creator.
5) ptrace or specialized libraries may help provide the undo capability
Changed in ubuntu-docs: | |
importance: | Undecided → Wishlist |
http:// en.wikipedia. org/wiki/ Apple_Guide
I want to point this out as another method of the same. I think this paradigm is vastly better than MS'.