Hi all
I’ve just managed to get the new Ubuntu (Dapper Drake) to install in a dual boot on my main machine. I’ve still got a partition spare for Haiku, naturally.
I did a look around and I don’t believe this topic has been broached yet, or at least, not in such obvious terms with regards the topic subject. I’m interested to know how the Haiku team thinks users should be able to try out, and then install the Haiku? Even though the Dapper Drake process was a significant step beyond what it was previously, it was not what I would consider a walk in the park. Ultimately, an install being a walk in the park is what’s needed otherwise regualr joes will not bother. I nearly gave up on Dapper Drake, and I consider myself a bit more foolhardy than most.
The install should, I think, take care of most of the issues that a user would want taking care of should they wish to try a new OS. All that partitioning, resizing, reformatting, that should be done automatically. Heck, if it could be done from within the original OS like installing any other app, that would be one less reason to hold off giving it a whirl.
With that hairy stuff out of the way, it would be another boon to have the new OS import as many settings/preferences as it could from the installed OS. This could be the more obvious mail/bookmarks etc, but also other such things like screen resolution, music/video folders as default folders for various apps.
Some of the above might be a bit unrealistic, might be a bit impractical, might just be a bit mad, but I think the point of it is that the Haiku installation process should aim to be as pain free as it can possibly muster. And as well as aiming for that lofty goal, it should aim to surpass every other attempt made thus far. Accomodating for dual booting is something that Windows doesn’t make easy for anyone, but I guess the onus should fall on the alt.os to step up and make it so that users can try a new OS out on a whim. A LiveCD goes part of the way, it’s the remainder I’m interested in.