Maybe openSUSE needs something like Ubuntu's app center

[Jonathan_R]

Originally Posted by TaraIkeda

For new users Icons would be nice though, and yes know Yast provides information but not screenshots (at least the one in 11.1, I am unsure if screenshot previews will make it into 11.2)
But if Yast itself cannot be modified maybe we could tweak the openSUSE main package download page so that it lists the most popular applications and categorizes them, sort of like GetDeb.
Software Categories

when browsing through getdeb you get screenshots too:
Packages on category Graphics & Design

When going a search through software.opensuse.org you get a description, the installer and the one click install but no visual reference to the package you are interested in.
I think it would be a good idea to suggest package previews for new users.

I have to agree with the consensus here. All icons would do is add eye candy. Other than that, YaST all ready has everything you mentioned. YaSY does have the package categories and patterns. The individual packages do not have icons, nor do I think they should. YaST does provide a description for packages. So basically, to fulfill your wish, would be to add icons. A totally unnecessary waste of time and space. I don't think it makes one bit of difference to new users whether a package has an icon or not. First off, is a new user going to even recognize or understand that icon. Data Display Debugger has an X for it's icon. What's a new user going to think about seeing an X for an icon? Chemtool has a blue circle with the GNOME foot. How does that help the new user? You see? Icons are just eye candy. It's the description that makes all the difference.

[brucecadieux]

Originally Posted by TaraIkeda

No the functionality is actually completely different in Ubuntu's app center and yes I have toyed around with YAST.
The app center gives the new user some aid on installing applications, giving the user icons for each application and each category plus detailed information of that app.
Plus app center only gives a list of basic packages one might need, as opposed to YAST that shows off everything.
Something like a "Yast basic" for beginners would be helpful, something that provides icons, screenshots, that sort of thing.
I know its so easy for you guys to write this off as "hey its a Ubuntu project", and then say "we have YAST"
But maybe Yast gives the new user one too many applications to choose from, the app center on Ubuntu gives the new user only a basic amount of GUI packages and does not show CLI apps, YAST does not filter out CLI apps.
Look I am not saying app center is "ground breaking" I have seen simular tools in the past.
But it does offer a very simplistic application installer that filters out non GUI apps, could be useful to new users.

Sounds so much like the gnome users are idiots thus should not see any advanced options theory.

[hcvv]

I will put it strongly (and thus impolite).

But it does offer a very simplistic application installer that filters out non GUI apps, could be useful to new users.

is nonsense.

When someone needs Unix/Linux file sharing he needs NFS. Thus he needs to install nfs packages. NFS is not a GUI application, it works completely in the background. But the configuration of server as well as client can be done through YaST. Thus I do not see any problem letting a CLI-fobic user install non GUI products. And of course I would search in YaST for the string NFS and not look through miriads of childish icons.

[67GTA]

I played with a 9.10 live CD yesterday, and have to say that the new software center is just a glorified Add/Remove. It is very "dumbed down" compared to Synaptic. If you added the advanced functions back to the software center to make the advanced users happy, you have only created a more graphical Synaptic. What is the point? What other wheels are they going to reinvent next?

[KJ44]

Originally Posted by hcvv

I will put it strongly

I'll politely be even stronger.

It's just plain wrong to assume that users won't appreciate text based non-GUI programs. People are literate. It's insulting and patronising to dumb down.

[techwiz03]

Originally Posted by hcvv

I will put it strongly (and thus impolite).
is nonsense.

When someone needs Unix/Linux file sharing he needs NFS. Thus he needs to install nfs packages. NFS is not a GUI application, it works completely in the background. But the configuration of server as well as client can be done through YaST. Thus I do not see any problem letting a CLI-fobic user install non GUI products. And of course I would search in YaST for the string NFS and not look through miriads of childish icons.

I agree, no dumb down is good for Linux distro's. We've all seen how dumb down has affected M$. Linux is about choices not restrictions. An app rating system is maybe in order. Mark highly recommended apps so when you go through the list you can see the more important ones.

But there are flaws in my thinking too. Who decides what is most important?

[TaraIkeda]

I am not saying we should totally "Dumb down" the experience, leave the older tools alone but maybe there should be a more simplified installer for new users.
Granted YAST is pretty easy to use but maybe it can be intimidating for the new user.
Simplification can be good if used properly, right now yes I admit the Ubuntu app center is not perfect but if we had the right minds we can make a simplified YAST installer for new users that can get one started.
I am not suggesting replace YAST, jusrt offer an alternative tool alongside YAST.

[Jonathan_R]

Originally Posted by TaraIkeda

I am not saying we should totally "Dumb down" the experience, leave the older tools alone but maybe there should be a more simplified installer for new users.
Granted YAST is pretty easy to use but maybe it can be intimidating for the new user.
Simplification can be good if used properly, right now yes I admit the Ubuntu app center is not perfect but if we had the right minds we can make a simplified YAST installer for new users that can get one started.
I am not suggesting replace YAST, jusrt offer an alternative tool alongside YAST.

You are ofcourse, entitled to your opinion, but as you can see, the consensus disagrees with you. If you want it, maybe you should do it.

[TaraIkeda]

Originally Posted by Jonathan_R

You are ofcourse, entitled to your opinion, but as you can see, the consensus disagrees with you. If you want it, maybe you should do it.

I am not a programmer though, wish I was.

[consused]

Originally Posted by Jonathan_R

YaST does provide a description for packages. ...It's the description that makes all the difference.

I completely agree about icons in this context being a waste of space. Glad you mentioned the descriptions provided for by Yast. This is one area where improvements to many of the descriptions would benefit new users and some not-so-new like me. The ones that are really unhelpful are those that just repeat the package title with a few extra words included to turn it into a single sentence. Even some of the smaller distros with fewer resources available seem to do a better job on this. Maybe that's because their packagers are generally closer to the users and frequently use the same forums. That doesn't appear to be the case on openSUSE.