jrothwell97
May 25th, 2010, 10:33 PM
This is an idea I've had in my head for a while, but have only now properly committed to words (and mockups). I've written a slightly better treatment at my blog (http://crashedpips.com/2010/05/the-case-for-automating-the-ubuntu-downloadburn-process/), but here's a brief description of what I'm semi-proposing:
Often, I find, on reading through the Absolute Beginner forum, prospective new Ubuntu users are unfamiliar with how ".iso" files work and try to do all manner of incorrect things with them.
Mercifully, Microsoft has finally fixed this with Windows 7 (which now features ISO burning functionality by default.) However, what about the millions of potential users on XP and Vista? Downloading third-party ISO software is a pain, and downloading any software as a relative beginner is somewhat dangerous (uneducated on the joys of malware, etc.)
So, consider this. What if there was a single downloadable .exe file that the user could download, run in the same vein as Wubi, and leave to download and burn the CD in the background?
Mockups attached - now shoot with your comments, criticisms, cries about its redundancy or how Linux is "dumbing down", etc. :)
(P.S. I know I called it the "installer" in the mockups, which isn't strictly true. It will serve only to create the installation media automatically and conveniently. Alternate names I'm considering include AutoBuntu or the Ubuntu Automatic Toaster.)
Often, I find, on reading through the Absolute Beginner forum, prospective new Ubuntu users are unfamiliar with how ".iso" files work and try to do all manner of incorrect things with them.
Mercifully, Microsoft has finally fixed this with Windows 7 (which now features ISO burning functionality by default.) However, what about the millions of potential users on XP and Vista? Downloading third-party ISO software is a pain, and downloading any software as a relative beginner is somewhat dangerous (uneducated on the joys of malware, etc.)
So, consider this. What if there was a single downloadable .exe file that the user could download, run in the same vein as Wubi, and leave to download and burn the CD in the background?
Mockups attached - now shoot with your comments, criticisms, cries about its redundancy or how Linux is "dumbing down", etc. :)
(P.S. I know I called it the "installer" in the mockups, which isn't strictly true. It will serve only to create the installation media automatically and conveniently. Alternate names I'm considering include AutoBuntu or the Ubuntu Automatic Toaster.)