What is Digg?Sponsored by HowLifeWorks
How to Make Your PC as Fast as the Day You Bought It view!
howlifeworks.com - What's the fastest way to restore a computer to its original blazing glory
145 Comments
- deadbaby, on 10/16/2007, -11/+68Never had any problems with it myself.
- shad0walker, on 10/11/2007, -1/+38I love the check out the alternatives pitch. Just an idea here, but a link to some alternatives would be brilliant, otherwise this is kind of like 'You can make money with out working, check it out!' then not telling anyone how.
- jimmarch1, on 10/11/2007, -5/+32Well I've seen problems on Edgy and Feisty...and I strongly suspect it borked my first Dapper-to-Edgy attempt. At the time I was too newbie (to Linux) to realize it was a potential problem.
Now I just keep notes to myself online on how to do up Feisty without Automatix. About the only thing I miss even a little is Acrobat Reader 7 out of the Ubuntu repositories vs. 9 in Automatix but...I haven't seen any actual need for 9.
My notes aren't well organized right now and assume you understand how to cut'n'paste command line stuff:
http://www.equalccw.com/su
This can be cleaned up and made as newbie-friendly as Automatix, if a bit more work. But the advantage is even bigger: besides getting a working multimedia desktop, they'll get an intro into command line geekiness that will serve 'em well down the road. - starmanjones, on 10/11/2007, -3/+19well... i come from a time before rpm's when it was tarballs and make and install... after getting the environmentals set for your hardware... *sigh* i don't miss it. most new windows users decided to give linux a try because of the point and click. i have always used a mac for my convenience... i run linux on servers and windows to keep my fridge full. i have automatix install on my *linux only* laptop... and it has been great. no problems. i switched the laptop from ubuntu to mandriva and went to get automatix... well *****... looks like i'm going to have to roll my own. no mandriva.
- ibis, on 10/11/2007, -0/+16I don't have a problem with Automatix, I just don't really think it is needed anymore. Everything is in the standard repos these days, with the exception of w32codecs and libdvdcss2, and you just add the medibuntu repo for those.
edit: I hadn't looked at automatix for a while, interesting that they are partnering with commercial vendors now and you can get your software added to the default automatix install. Good luck to them in making some money out of a product that has helped a lot of people, but I'd be keeping an eye on the list of stuff that is being added if it was something I used. - Cherubim, on 10/11/2007, -3/+18Automatix was the culprit that caused my Edgy to Feisty upgrade to fail. Their really is no need to use it with Feisty as most of the codecs and apps it installs can be obtained with a little effort.
- Bonzodog, on 10/11/2007, -5/+20I know the guy that wrote automatix, have been in meetings with the Ubuntu CC, and the official stance is that it *will* break things in ubuntu as it is using outside repos and packages not specifically built for Ubuntu feisty. It can really screw things up. Don't use it, please. Learn to use apt-get properly, and to install packages from the repos the proper way.
- Jenda, on 10/11/2007, -2/+14There is a good reason all official Ubuntu media consider automatix taboo and have even stepped to refusing to support it. The fact that it works for some people is most certainly no proof that it 'just works'. I've been around the project for a long time, and besides the unacceptable behavior of the automatix folks towards Ubuntu, I have heard of hundreds of cases where it caused irreparable damages leading to a reinstall.
As for cantormath's comment... well, that's FUD :) For one thing, the "devs" he's talking about is me. For another, I have never been a dev of anything, as I'm coding-impaired :). And lastly, easyubuntu doesn't have any devs any more and has proclaimed itself obsolete since Feisty. - psyaeger, on 10/11/2007, -2/+14Automatix did break my system. I tried it back when I first tried Dapper Drake. I don't recommend it. It might be more stable now but I'd rather do things individually and have more control and more support. I use the ubuntu forums and irc for support and if your problem is Automatix related all you will get is "I told you so" and little sympathy. Just a warning.
- TechCF, on 10/11/2007, -0/+10Well, it broke my system. So no I do things manually the way Ubuntu wants it. Much easier when it comes to upgrading. See you at 7.10
- Geaugan, on 10/11/2007, -2/+11Automatix broke my dapper. After that I figured it was just as easy putting medibuntu repos in my sources.list and running one command to install everything I need.
- Spr0k3t, on 10/11/2007, -2/+11Automatix broke my install numerous times on my desktop (not sure if 64bit was the root of the problem or not). Testing from edgy to feisty (32bit) Automatix broke my install on my laptop. Each event was reported, no resolution was found. Once I stopped using Automatix I haven't had any problems with application installs. The only time I need to even touch the terminal to install software is if I have to build/make myself. There's too much fud on both sides from the looks of the comments.
- dasunst3r, on 10/16/2007, -4/+13I have no negative experiences with Automatix thus far, but I see it as a crutch that any new Linux user will need to stop depending on eventually. A great alternative is www.ubuntuguide.org -- I follow that guide whenever I install my system.
- Apreche, on 10/11/2007, -4/+13Automatix isn't guaranteed to break your system, but it does happen more often than not. Also, if you use Automatix on a Feisty system, good luck upgrading to Gutsy when it comes out. A too like Automatix was necessary years ago when it was difficult for new users to learn how to add new repositories to their package manager. Now that Ubuntu has the automatic codec detector and installer, that works amazingly well, and the nvidia drivers are in the repository, Automatix is a risk not worth taking. Yes, it does make the experience slightly easier, but it's taking something that is already easy and making it only slightly easier while adding a risk of breaking the system. Why take such a huge risk for such a tiny benefit? Use synaptic and just install what you need.
- r00tus3r, on 10/11/2007, -2/+10The guys in the ubuntu forum on the chat.freenode.net server have beleaguered this point to no end. Everytime someone asks about automatix they always give the warning about the risk of breaking your installation, that said, most people still go ahead and install it anyway considering that most of the systems aren't critical, and a reinstall isn't really a problem. Easyubuntu is generally acknowledged by those in the know as the better option, but that said, automatix has worked splendidly for me.
- Spr0k3t, on 10/11/2007, -1/+8Multimedia Codecs: http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Feisty#How_to_install_Multimedia_Codecs
Webpage plugins: http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Feisty#Java_.26_Non-Media_Browser_Plug-ins
ntfs-3g is part of Feisty. Notice how the links are from the same web page? Ubuntuguide.org should be a bookmarked page... it's even helpful if you don't use Ubuntu as your primary distro. - schestowitz, on 10/11/2007, -8/+15Of course it /can/, but it need not. Maybe this story is the rare exception. Some say it might lead to instability, Dell does not support it, but many people truly love it.
- decoherence, on 10/11/2007, -2/+9If you install Automatix and it 'just works,' consider yourself just a little lucky. If you can do a dist-upgrade after that, consider yourself very lucky.
Please go to ubuntuguide.org and read how to install a particular piece of software properly. It's not hard -- Ubuntu's an apt-based system -- but it does require just a touch of reading comprehension. You wouldn't think anyone on digg would have a problem with that, eh? :p - hlthybodysckmnd, on 10/11/2007, -2/+9Automatix is a piece. I have tried on many occasions to use it, but never gotten it to work. Granted, it never broke anything, but it just didn't work at all. I don't see the point of this application as synaptic and add/remove programs function just as easily.
- potaco, on 10/11/2007, -1/+8Atomatix?
What's up with all the blatant typos in titles? Are these really such important issues that you can't be bothered to glance over what you've typed? - MWeather, on 10/16/2007, -0/+5Realplayer?
- DAaaMan64, on 10/11/2007, -4/+9Not everyone wants there hands dirty 75 times ass
- MrSelfDestruct, on 10/11/2007, -1/+6www.ubuntuguide.org huh? I see it as a crutch that any new Linux user will need to stop depending on eventually.
- SniperSlap, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5What exactly do you need Automatix for? It sounds like fluffware to me.
Seems very redundant and they appear to be playing off of peoples' lack of understanding. - dacheetah, on 10/11/2007, -2/+7Aptitude makes most installs to easy already.
Not only does the default GUI have alot of stuff that can be installed with no previous knowledge using only the mouse, but when you do use the terminal, it doesn't get much easier than "sudo apt-get install apache2" - abandonedhero, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4DAaaMan64 is right. Even if he was a "noob," why the poor sentiment? It's the "noobs" that are going to make Linux even more mainstream. Without them, it will never overcome Windows as a mainstream OS. So be nice to the newbies - you were one too at one point.
- spyrochaete, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4Very nicely done! Well narrated and paced, plus I'm impressed the text is so legible in the small video.
- trogdoor, on 10/11/2007, -1/+5Have you ever used Applications -> Add/Remove? It's a much easier interface and lets you install much more than Automatix does and it is officially supported.
- Vinvin, on 10/11/2007, -1/+5Yeah, that's the main problem with Automatix - upgrading mostly won't work after you've used it. On the other hand, a lot of Automatix users don't actually ever try to upgrade, or their upgrade fails but they don't know whether it is caused by Automatix...
- Chandon, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3The "right way" is to use the GUI tools built into the OS. There's nothing "hard way" about it.
- danielharker, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3My bad ;)
- joper90, on 10/11/2007, -3/+6worked fine for me.. i can do it the 'right way' but its quicker to select a load.. click start go and do something else..
I spend all day nerding at work with commandlines and oracle... why do it at home - anjinash, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3And how often do your parents use the Windows and/or Mac command line for the things they do on a computer? I can see using the CLI for certain network configurations, etc... but to install software? Yes, I know there's Add/Remove and Synaptic.. but those don't cover all the bases. I've found myself unceremoniously dumped into the CLI for a software installation or two, and as I've said previously: Somebody who is not comfortable with the CLI won't tolerate that crap and they'll run back to Windows or OSX. Sorry you don't like this fact, but it's the truth.
- bruenig, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3You are mistaken, there is a gui package manager that contains all official packages, some 18000 of them. There is a search box and there are check boxes to choose to install something. This is a third party hacked script with a gui that often fails and becomes out of date almost as soon as you install it if packages get moved or urls change. Also it hides so much from the user, that on the off chance you are meant to make a decision such as "this package conflicts with this package, should we go forward anyways?" it automatically says yes and now you don't know what has happened and your system is a mess.
- HanSolo69, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3Somebody is bitter. I can understand the iPhone part, but if you're really mad about not being in on the Ubuntu fun, well...you know it's free, right? That's kind of the point anyways.
- Chandon, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3The alternative to Automatix is to follow the simple instructions in the Ubuntu documentation.
From https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats -
To install almost everything that Automatix installs: Click Applications → Add/Remove. In the top right, change the setting to All available applications. Then select Other in the left panel and then select the Ubuntu restricted extras package. Click OK. - ToadLeg, on 10/11/2007, -2/+5How about Linux Mint, an offshoot of Ubuntu (about 100% compatible with Ubuntu) that comes with all the stuff that you normally need to install at the beginning of any Ubuntu installation, only has one taskbar, and some cool graphics. http://www.linuxmint.com/
- MWeather, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3You can't replicate everything in the CLI in the GUI environment. Why do you think every OS (even Vista) has a command line?
- lexlaw, on 10/11/2007, -1/+4made this for a few windows friends of mine, hopefully they wont use something that wrecks their systems http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/Installing_Applications_in_Ubuntu_2
- danielharker, on 10/11/2007, -1/+4I wrote this article, and if you read it, you'd see that I have written an entire review of EasyUbuntu. Which in my opinion is a great alternative. :) Happy digging.
- SatNav, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2FTA:
"For the first six months after feisty was released, many users had problems upgrading"
Pretty big claim, considering it's only been out for 3 months! - stalefries, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Easy Ubuntu doesn't do all the weird breaky stuff that Automatix does.
- frazras, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3OOOOOOhhhhh according to most of the posts Im reading, the problem is that Automatix breaks a system upon dist-upgrading because this was a shocker headline for me. I use automatix as a post-install tool, not because I dont know how to add sources and apt-get but because it reminds me of all the "everyday" applications I need to install by placing them in one place instead of trying to remember what exactly I might need to do something. This is especially useful when Im installing on someone elses PC who I might not see again for a while and they want everything basic working, automatix just reminds me of what I need
- underdog5004, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2I feel the same way. When I first started using ubuntu, I didn't know anything. Automatix made it easy to install "neato" programs on my computer. Now that I'm a bit more learned about linux, I just don't need it anymore.
- RyanWilliams, on 10/11/2007, -2/+4Heh, "rewarding". Yes.
See, it's statements like that which clearly demonstrate why the majority of people don't and never will use Linux for anything more than a week or few of fiddling at most. People with busy lives and full-time jobs generally want the most simple and uninstrusive experience ever; using any kind of terminal at any point is basically crossing the line of what they can be bothered with.
Windows users experimenting don't go back because their install got a bit crapped up (it's not like Windows can't be broken). It's because the OS is so fundamentally unsuitable for average users that they have to go to such measures to get it working how it should be in the first place.
Of course, it's all a matter of opinion. Kind of like how most people in the UK love manual cars and it's rare to see an automatic, despite their widespread availability and fine pricing. Clearly an automatic provides the most comfortable driving experience, but most UK drivers prefer the feeling of control that's associated with a manual car even if it means constantly going to extra effort to achieve the same means.
It's slightly disheartening that I'll inevitably be dugg down for this and the prevailing Linux mentality of treating ease of use as an afterthought will continue to guarantee its failure with the masses. After all, who wouldn't support the idea of a free OS everyone can enjoy?
But still, I'll post it anyway. - theholycow, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2What? Preposterous! To propose that many people use the computer as a means, not an end. To suggest that the average Joe isn't using the computer for the computer's sake, and just wants to get past dealing with computer stuff so he can get the information he needs or print his document, and then go on with life.
In fact, I personally DON'T think it's "fundamentally unsuitable for average users", but the rest of what you have to say is pretty much spot-on. - theendlessnow, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Why can't there be an update tool for Ubuntu that turns my gray hair back to brown? That would eventually become the most used app ever.
- hockey, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2"I've never used Automatix, but I despise it"
Oh yeah, I'm certainly going to use YOU as an authoritative source on Automatix. . . - anjinash, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Yes I have, as well as Synaptic. I'm not talking about my usage, I'm talking about a new user who decides to give Linux a chance. The parent comment incorrectly states how easy apt-get is. My point was that apt-get is NOT easy for somebody who's never used the CLI. I'm no command line wizard, but I can get around it ok with the help of my good friend Google. Most people won't go that far. They'll look at a command prompt with glazed over eyes, then reach for their Windows or OSX install disc.
- cawpin, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3You are no longer allowed to give any opinion of software.
-
Show 51 - 100 of 146 discussions
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is