From owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Mon Jan 8 01:07:08 2007 Return-Path: X-Original-To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Delivered-To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.freebsd.org (mx1.freebsd.org [69.147.83.52]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id C71D916A403 for ; Mon, 8 Jan 2007 01:07:08 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from bobmc@bobmc.net) Received: from smtp-out.fcibroadband.com (smtp-out.fcibroadband.com [64.119.104.17]) by mx1.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 8BB8813C46C for ; Mon, 8 Jan 2007 01:07:08 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from bobmc@bobmc.net) Received: from localhost (localhost.localdomain [127.0.0.1]) by smtp-in1.fcibroadband.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id EBB651B19E1 for ; Sun, 7 Jan 2007 20:07:07 -0500 (EST) Received: from smtp-out1 ([127.0.0.1]) by localhost (smtp-out1 [127.0.0.1]) (amavisd-new, port 10025) with SMTP id 28108-01 for ; Sun, 7 Jan 2007 20:07:05 -0500 (EST) Received: from [192.168.1.100] (unknown [209.104.162.225]) by smtp-out.fcibroadband.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id 67D081B1807 for ; Sun, 7 Jan 2007 20:07:05 -0500 (EST) Message-ID: <45A19938.5020704@bobmc.net> Date: Sun, 07 Jan 2007 20:07:04 -0500 From: bobmc User-Agent: Thunderbird 1.5.0.4 (X11/20060615) MIME-Version: 1.0 To: FreeBSD-Questions References: <73387c420701071410p710a3436gdecda61d57643950@mail.gmail.com> In-Reply-To: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Subject: Re: Why is sysinstall considered end-of-life? X-BeenThere: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.5 Precedence: list List-Id: User questions List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Mon, 08 Jan 2007 01:07:08 -0000 Ivan Voras wrote: > Mark Lu wrote: > >> I've read up a few things stating that sysinstall is at its >> end-of-life and there are plans to replace it. I'm wondering about the >> reasons or rationale behind this. Even today, sysinstall seems to work >> extremely well as an easy-to-use, simple, and stable tool for the >> installation of FreeBSD. None of the features seem limiting or >> outdated to me. So, why is there a move to find a replacement or >> something? Software shouldn't be replaced for the sole reason of being >> old if it works, right >> Two reasons AFAIK: >> >> --------------- A previous reply said: As I understand the discussion: among others, because there are features people want to add that don't fit in the current model. (Personally, I think there are also points where the correct user behavior is not intuitively obvious.) ---Robert Huff -------------- Then Ivan said.... >> 1. it simply doesn't even know how deal with the more modern features >> like GEOM & RAID, more advanced authentication mechanisms (nsswitch), >> and devices like sound cards (there are many more in this list...) >> 2. it's way past what's currently considered "user friendly" >> >> >> The "end-of-life" phrase appears in one of the article pages and even in the sysinstall man-page. Perhaps someone started a rumour which became gospel to someone else. This page -> http://www.freebsd.org/releases/6.1R/todo.html mentions a desired improvement (not replacement!) for sysinstall. Since replacement is not imminent, perhaps issue tracking should be used to encourage and manage modest improvements that would enhance it's appeal. It is said to be a monolithic program.. perhaps it is trying to do too much. -Bob-