Automatix? Is it a good thing?

[simonn]

I have been using linux for a few years as my main OS at home, a significant while before Ubuntu existed at any rate.

I used to answer questions here semi-regularily, but have got a bit bored of answering mainly the same questions over and over.

However, I have/had some time to kill and decided to have a read and maybe answer some questions anbd was shocked to notice how many answers were like this:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php...37&postcount=6

Don't try to do it yourself, just get automatix.

I am bound to be called a linux zealot for this, but how is someone going to learn if they just use tools like Automatix?

Possibly add a new repository, installing a package and possibly creating a symlink is hardly super villian stuff.

Same with the codecs.

Sure, it may be a little wierd for a newbie, but hey they are a newbie, things are going to be weird and frustrating for a little while.

Thoughts? Does automatix help users remain ignorant? Is this a good thing? Have I become an unintentional linux zealot ?

[ubuntu27]

I personally think that Automatix and easy Ubuntu should be targeted towards user who are more experienced, for those who just want to save time...

New users should learn how to use their new OS.
And the only way to learn is by doing it themselves.

[karellen]

I don't know...I use apt-get & aptitude. However, I think that most of the user want to use an os, not to learn it. as long as they can click something on the screen and voila, music/video playback is here, they don't care...If for them the pc is just a tool, not a purpose by itself, why bother?

[kelbizzle]

I personally think that Automatix and easy Ubuntu should be targeted towards user who are more experienced, for those who just want to save time...

New users should learn how to use their new OS.
And the only way to learn is by doing it themselves.

I agree with you. I enjoy doing all those things... Installing codecs, and compiling source to get the programs I wanted. But now I'm installing ubuntu on so many customers computers that I use automatix or I tell them to use automatix. It works every time with no problems.

[reza81]

It can suck big-time if you e.g. install swiftfox & flash...

I think its bether to learn ubuntu properly

[tom-ubuntu]

Automatix is a nice tool.

I am using Linux for over 10 years. But I am tired of compiling stuff on my own, fiddeling around with configuration. I just want to use the OS, nothing else anymore. It should just work, otherwise I am loosing patient and don't care about it anymore. Got enough IT problems during the day to solve, no need for more in the evenings

[Kobalt]

I always advise not to use Automatix. Instead I strongly recommand reading some Aptitude docs and using the repos...
Automatix is, after all, not far easier than Aptitude but it's by far much less reliable.
Instead of developping stuff like Automatix I would rather spend time developping Synaptic for instance...

[viper]

Personally if Automatix will help a newb get things like java, codecs, etc going, well that can be a good thing.
I have never had a problem with Automatix and would recommend it to people.

[OffHand]

Don't try to do it yourself, just get automatix.

This bothers me a lot too. People will just stay ignorant if all they hear is 'use automatix'.
It's not that hard to install most stuff... usually it is as easy as copy/paste a command.

[Erik Trybom]

I think Automatix is more of a pragmatic solution than a really good thing.

Myself, I had a lot of trouble installing certain apps when I first came to Ubuntu. Mp3, DVD-codecs, Opera (which was not in the repos then), Flash and so on. Now that I know more about the way things work I can see the problem with Automatix, but when I used it the first time it was a real saviour. I know that you should learn how to do it yourself and all that, but to newbies the most important thing is to get stuff to work.

I agree though that even if Automatix is useful right now, in the future there should be easy ways to install all those things without third-party scripts. I know that Feisty is taking some steps in this direction, but I'm sure we can go even further later on. Then Automatix will become a more of a tool for advanced users than an easy-installer for beginners.