slaxworkshop

Monday, September 18, 2006

 

Kommando-Installer for Linux Live Distros

I started a new project, Kommando-Installer.

Since I have a new SLAX baby (soon to be announced), I have a real need for a way to make software available without actually distributing the software. Two types of software that fit this category are: proprietary and encryption. Both are essential parts of the Linux experience but they have issues with distribution for everyone involved. To cover everyone's tail, I have decided to create an installer that will download all the pieces, create the software, and make a SLAX module. The end user needs to do nothing but select a piece of software and single click.

Proprietary video drivers, for instance, can be downloaded, compiled for your Kernel release, and a module created with NO technical knowledge of any kind.

A cool side effect of Kommando-Installer is that this can be used to distribute modules. Just update the master software package list, create a profile with the URL, the installation instructions can be to install it into the modules directory, and that's it! Smile

I will post the project files something soon.

Project Goals:
    1) Create a generic GUI, Kdialog, and dialog, and CLI installer for free proprietary software.
      a) The installer should be the same for all software.
      b) An Installer Profile (configuration file(s)) for each package should contain ALL the information needed for installation into SLAX:
        1. Download URL
        2. Global Information (Package names etc.)
        3. Package description
        4. Dependancy Information (to compile, install, run) and Check.
        5. Compilation Information, if needed.
        6. Installation Information
        7. SLAX module Creation Information
      c) A master list of software available with name pointing to Installer Profile Information
    2) SLAX module Creation
    3) Simple to use: select a package- one click, and a SLAX module is generated.
    4) Update capable so new and addition Installer Profiles can be obtained with a single click.

The configuration information can be as simple as downloading a tgz package from somewhere and converting it, then making a SLAX module- to a very involved dissection of a vendor's installer and then making a SLAX module.

Project Milestones:

To package:
    1) Package a pre-made installer type package sucha as GoogleEarth or RealPlayer [DONE]
    2) A video driver (e.g. ATI's)
    3) A sound driver (e.g. ???)
    4) A Kernel driver (a network card in particular) [In progress]
    With those examples, people can create there own Installer Profiles and they can be put in a central area. A person can click a button in Kommando-Installer and download all the installer profiles that are new. Then install some software.
Problems:
    1) Proprietary installers can be a pain to reverse if they don't have cli equivalents.
    2) Some instances where a company may state that you can't mess with there installer... (BOOOO!!). So far I haven't found anyone like that yet. Smile
Current Status:
    1) A working Generic Installer.
    2) A configuration directory for each package.
    3) A configuration file for each package.
    4) Configurations for installing: GoogleEarth and RealPlayer.
Notes:
    1) The kdialog, dialog, and CLI interfaces should be trivial since the installer really has 2 options and output. Options 1 is to select and install a package. Option 2 is to update the Installer Profiles. Output of all the stuff goes to a ListBox.
    2) Need a place to review, discuss, and post Installer Profiles
    3) Similar project are:
      a) Klik... except they don't create SLAX modules... and I have never been able to really make Klik work.
      b) Fink - VERY NICE!
Suggests:

Any suggestions???

posted by TheGuardian  # 11:56 AM
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