Synaptic CNR

[welsh_spud]

As a lot of you may have heard Linspire as been offering their Linspire 5-0 distro for free untill the 6th.

Well, I gave in and gave it ago. Don't worry, I haven't converted, but I did notice something that gave me an idea.

Linspire has a program called CNR (Click N' Run) which allows you to install software with one click of the mouse. It is a nice program with reviews of free programs, and other nifty things like screenshots. It also costs $20 a year.

After having a look at CNR and then coming back to Ubuntu and synaptic, I noticed how spartan it was.

Now my idea is to make a kind of copy of CNR, but using Synaptic. It could have a main page with a Program of the Day, with a short description and screenshots! It could be a wiki too!

I'm thinking this could make Ubuntu look more user-friendly and appealing to n00bs (like myself)

Im not much of a programmer so I don't know how hard this would be to implement, but what do you all think? Good idea?

[majikstreet]

As a lot of you may have heard Linspire as been offering their Linspire 5-0 distro for free untill the 6th.

Well, I gave in and gave it ago. Don't worry, I haven't converted, but I did notice something that gave me an idea.

Linspire has a program called CNR (Click N' Run) which allows you to install software with one click of the mouse. It is a nice program with reviews of free programs, and other nifty things like screenshots. It also costs $20 a year.

After having a look at CNR and then coming back to Ubuntu and synaptic, I noticed how spartan it was.

Now my idea is to make a kind of copy of CNR, but using Synaptic. It could have a main page with a Program of the Day, with a short description and screenshots! It could be a wiki too!

I'm thinking this could make Ubuntu look more user-friendly and appealing to n00bs (like myself)

Im not much of a programmer so I don't know how hard this would be to implement, but what do you all think? Good idea?
IN my opinion, Ubuntu is pretty user-friendly....

I dunno about CNR...

majikstreet

[GeneralZod]

Something like this is actually being worked on, but unfortunately I can't remember what it's called :) I think it's a superb idea - especially reviews and screenshots :)

[xequence]

As a lot of you may have heard Linspire as been offering their Linspire 5-0 distro for free untill the 6th.

Well, I gave in and gave it ago. Don't worry, I haven't converted, but I did notice something that gave me an idea.

Linspire has a program called CNR (Click N' Run) which allows you to install software with one click of the mouse. It is a nice program with reviews of free programs, and other nifty things like screenshots. It also costs $20 a year.

After having a look at CNR and then coming back to Ubuntu and synaptic, I noticed how spartan it was.

Now my idea is to make a kind of copy of CNR, but using Synaptic. It could have a main page with a Program of the Day, with a short description and screenshots! It could be a wiki too!

I'm thinking this could make Ubuntu look more user-friendly and appealing to n00bs (like myself)

Im not much of a programmer so I don't know how hard this would be to implement, but what do you all think? Good idea?

I must admit, having a main page with the program of the day and all you said would be great. It would be easier for people to browse software. I do think ubuntu is user friendly, though there is almost no way to browse the downloads avalable.

But whatever happens, ubuntu will always have TNR! (Type and run...)

[poofyhairguy]

I'm in Breezy. For this release there is a new program to install programs with. Its so easy, that is ANYONE could do it.

[bored2k]

I'm in Breezy. For this release there is a new program to install programs with. Its so easy, that is ANYONE could do it.
Wich one? Im on Breezy, I dont have it.

[poofyhairguy]

Wich one? Im on Breezy, I dont have it.

"SYSTEM" - "ADMINISTRATION" - "ADD/ REMOVE PROGRAMS"

[bored2k]

"SYSTEM" - "ADMINISTRATION" - "ADD/ REMOVE PROGRAMS"
/me smacks own head, twice.

Pretty cool indeed

[UbuWu]

I'm in Breezy. For this release there is a new program to install programs with. Its so easy, that is ANYONE could do it.

And in breezy+1 it will have screenshots, comments, ratings etc. so it will be even more great!

[aysiu]

"SYSTEM" - "ADMINISTRATION" - "ADD/ REMOVE PROGRAMS" Isn't that already in Hoary as System Tools > Add/Remove Programs?

While I do think the idea of a CNR-like Synaptic is great, I also think the Synaptic already has one up on Windows. I can search by partial name. I can search by name and description. There are descriptions. There are thousands of programs all in one "place." The closest I came to this for Windows was Download.com, and that's hardly comprehensive, centralized, or spyware-free.

I think Synaptic is amazing. I like the idea of being able to "mark for installation" or "mark for upgrade" several programs and then click "Apply" and have them all download and install without having to click through a wizard or do one .exe at a time.

[panickedthumb]

yes, it's already in hoary, but it's much better in breezy.

[drizek]

Something like this is actually being worked on, but unfortunately I can't remember what it's called :) I think it's a superb idea - especially reviews and screenshots :)
adept/synaptic+debtags+libapt-front

should do the trick.

[aysiu]

yes, it's already in hoary, but it's much better in breezy. I haven't played around with Breezy that much. Can you give some details about the new and improved software installation/removal in Breezy?

[KingBahamut]

This idea seems novel, and in a lot of cases would give more popularity to programs for users that are just beginning out. I think the idea of a free based CNR would be good, I dont honestly know why Linspire and Robertson dont consider it. It just makes sense.

[aysiu]

This idea seems novel, and in a lot of cases would give more popularity to programs for users that are just beginning out. I think the idea of a free based CNR would be good, I dont honestly know why Linspire and Robertson dont consider it. It just makes sense. Is CNR open source?

[drizek]

Is CNR open source?
no, but some of the apps on it are.

[aysiu]

yes, it's already in hoary, but it's much better in breezy. So I booted into Breezy. Here's why it's much better, in case others are curious:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b337/psychocats/f2d8a545.png
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b337/psychocats/3b1f9acf.png
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b337/psychocats/b2322eff.png

[Qrk]

Oooo... That is nice.
I didn't think it could get much better than Synaptic. But I suppose it can. I think it will be a great help to new users, because Synaptic can be overkill if someone just wants Thunderbird.

[poofyhairguy]

Isn't that already in Hoary as System Tools > Add/Remove Programs?


'Much much much much better.

[welsh_spud]

For those of you who dont know about CNR, here are some screenshots

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/jammie-dodger/CNRshowingfirefox.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/jammie-dodger/CNRshowinglistofprograms.jpg

[panickedthumb]

I kinda think that CNR is a bit over the top. I think something like our "add/remove programs" is much better. Its more along the lines of how I think anyway :)