Operating Systems > Linux and UNIX

Why are Linux programmers so damn lazy?

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ShawnD1:
It's a common argument that Linux is needlessly complicated when trying to install things. The problem with this argument is that it's not a problem with Linux as an OS, it's a problem with lazy ass programmers who make software for Linux. Most software for Linux must be installed by compiling the code yourself (which can take upwards of hours), then installing using a command that's 10 line long. Why do programmers do this? Why is it so god damn hard to install most Linux software? Mozilla and Opera for Linux are simple binary programs that install much like Windows programs. It takes almost no time and it's so easy that my grandma can probably do it. We know that Linux can be made easy; easy to install programs already exist.

Is there any foreseeable reason for programmers to only release the source, make you compile it yourself, then make you install it using a command that can't even fit on one line?

Orethrius:
Unfortunately, many people fail to check LinuxPackages.net first (they oftentimes have easy-to-use packages for the more popular programmes).  I see where you're coming from; however, many coders that spend most of their time in the C environment don't see the need to make their packages accessible across distros with pkgtools because their tools are oftentimes personal code that managed to gain wider attention.  I agree, there needs to be some sort of consensus among major distributors; however, in the meantime, I praise the ability to configure and compile my sources *at will*.

piratePenguin:

--- Quote from: Orethrius ---I praise the ability to configure and compile my sources *at will*.
--- End quote ---
So do I. I love compiling software. And having the source code available. For example, yesterday I switched from fluxbox to XFCE, so I setup XFCE (was installed by default) and then got the latest version from svn and compiled it myself. I just like doing that.

ShawnD1, what distribution are you using? In Debian-based distros all ya needa do is "apt-get install libxml2" for example, and in Mandriva it's "urpmi libxml2" and it sorts out the dependencies and all too.
I remember reading a comparison between installing apps in GNU/Linux (different distros IIRC) and installing apps in Windows. GNU/Linux won.

WMD:

--- Quote ---Is there any foreseeable reason for programmers to only release the source, make you compile it yourself, then make you install it using a command that can't even fit on one line?
--- End quote ---

./configure
make
make install

OMG I'm teh computar mastar!!!11one1!

BTW if you hate compiling so much, use something with access to Debian's universe tree.  There's some 10,000 binaries for ya.

BobTheHob:

--- Quote from: piratePenguin ---So do I. I love compiling software. And having the source code available. For example, yesterday I switched from fluxbox to XFCE, so I setup XFCE (was installed by default) and then got the latest version from svn and compiled it myself. I just like doing that.
--- End quote ---
Me too, I use primaraly FreeBSD, and although I could use the pkg_add command, or even the ncurses utility, I rarely do. I almost always go fetch the source for apps and compile it myself.

@WMD:lmfao, yea, I don't know why people whine so much about it.

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