Dear list,
it is not the problem that I can get Squeak running under Linux. But think
about interested users or even programmers who want to get a glimpse of
Squeak 3.9.8 according to decision which environment is best -- and of course
newbies as well -- what will they get?
a.) An INSTALL-script which works. OK It is said that it is heavily
recommended not to move files around. OK
b.) With the next instruction the tragedy begins: It is recommended to invoke
*inisqueak*. And -- inisqueak ist missing. Ups, don't they test their
packages?
c.) While reading the manpage of inisqueak it is politely offered to write a
mail to the author Ian Piumarta. Great work, this site, but the address is
wrong.
d.) You remember that there was a second adress in the INSTALL-file for Ian.
It is wrong too..
e.) Then you try to invoke Squeak by squeak, not inisqueak. Perhaps this
succeeds. Of course a message arrives with the first suggestion: Copy the
image and the change file into your current directory.
To say it clearly, please apologize my hard words: Do you think it might be
possible that the interested user asks himself: *Is this a hobby programmer
group or are there any real professionals at work?* Sorry, but think about
one who gets the first contact to Squeak while working under Linux.
Although all the effort is done by free will: Independent from that, wrong
information is worse than no information. Therefore, if time is lacking, it
would be better to comment nothing.
Next: The still interested user will have a look on the website and gets -- a
splendid website! Great!
And there is a category: Installation. Windows -- although I never observed
the slightest problems -- is described in detail. Mac as well. Linux or
Unix -- nothing. *Ah, this is the point.* Bye, bye. Let us turn over to GNU
Smalltalk or X/Smalltalk.
If you want to get acquainted to a highly acclaimed software like Squeak, and
face these avoidable problems, which have their roots in some basic
attitudes, I am afraid that it is a sign of healthy imagination to believe
that Linux users always try to figure out what the *author could have meant
if he would have had the time to express what he really means*.
Sorry, but I figured out that the problem with inisqueake, e.g. was reported
already by a user in March, and it seems as if there has no changing taken
place. I do not think that such an outstanding software like Squeak deserves
it.
Regards
Heiko
--
Heiko Schroeder
Praha, Ceska Republica
http://home.foni.net/~heikoshttp://www.od.shuttle.de/evb-1
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