Browser choice in Linux Lite 2.2

[anon222]

Removing a full web browser from a live media is not a good idea. This wont be important to me but most people want to test their internet connections, flash player performance etc.
What if someone needs  help installing, he won't be able to go to youtube and watch the videos.
Even windows 95 came with the web browser. As for youtube reviewers, most of them use live media.
The new software is usefull, and I think it has a place in the distro.

[iwar]

I wouldn't worry too much about the CD/DVD thing. Is not the USB stick the most commen this days?  Most people want to test their internet connections, flash player performance etc as soon as possible. Isńt other prog too put in addinitial software a better way?

[ChrisL]

Great questions and proposals!

Web browser user preference these days seems to be split between Firefox and Chrome. In the next version of Linux Lite I'd like to give people a choice from the get-go about what browser they would want to install and use. There are several reasons for this:

1. Freedom of choice I am all for this (who would not be)
2. I am out of ways to make Linux Lite fit on a CD, 2.2 is now DVD size. Having no web browsers installed allows us to still fit on CD thus taking care of our cd-rom only people.
I personally think it's more important to best meet the needs of most users, and I would not be terribly concerned with fitting it on a CD. "No DVD options" are there for those in a tight spot in older distros/usb install. On a side note, is it possible to set up CD install on multiple disks (seems like I remember doing that at some point in the distant past)?
3. Misko's 'Set default web browser' application can now be incorporated, a very useful tool that can be integrated into a new tool I am calling 'Web Browser Configuration' which will reside in Menu, Internet.  Looks great!
4. Objectively speaking, Chrome seems to be leading the way with web standards and web application compatibility, Youtube and Netflix are a good example of this.  I have been a Chrome user for quite a while,and technically I agree, but recent frustrations with Chrome have led me to rely on Firefox and Opera now (this was before I became aware of the "scroogled campaign" but they do make some good points http://www.scroogled.com/Home).

I think a choice would be great, but my preference would be for a full featured browser.  I am thinking someone coming from windows to LL might get somewhat frustrated with the Light browser, but being able to use the same browser they used on Windows would make them feel "at home' immediately. When you first get a distro loaded there are usually some issues that need tweaking and being able to get right on line in a familiar manner eases the pain.

Thanks for asking Valtam, another reason why it's such a great Distro!

Chris

[rbdflyboy]

Can/Will these options be found in "Preferred Applications" menu after update? Tend to see this as a very useful browser management tool, any way to use it now?

[Scott(0)]

I agree with what Misko said, no need to retype it

Removing a full web browser from live media is not a good idea. This won't be important to me but most people want to test their internet connections, flash player performance etc. If someone needs  help installing, they won't be able to go to youtube and watch the videos. Even windows 95 came with the web browser. As for youtube reviewers, most of them use live media.

Regarding going DVD/USB only. If the CD sized iso/media were dropped what percentage of people would be affected, I wonder?

Maybe it's worth considering one extra spin this release cycle - a CD no browser iso - and it's popularity could be gauged via downloads, forum feedback, etc. The remaining isos could be DVD size and contain full browsers.

[shaggytwodope]

Well it wouldn't be so bad to provide a choice of browser install after install. Or maybe even a basic browser that fits into the size allowed.

[Valtam]

This is why I love linux. Linux IS community


The information here is fantastic, things I overlooked, endorsements and new ideas.
I get the feeling the community so far makes the point that hanging onto CD size is not that important, I tend to agree with this more than I disagree.


Releasing an OS without a web browser for me seems risky, perhaps it's because it's one of those things that we all just expect and anything different is seen as unnecessarily risky. There's a good argument for why it's rarely (if ever) done. On the other hand, I'm always mindful of the right of people to choose. That's one of the reasons LL ships with such a small tool set, minimum imposition upon folks.


Thank you all and please, keep it coming

[Coastie]

author=The Linux Lite Forums Team e-mail 11/1/14

The team is considering a major change to the next release of Linux Lite.

As such, we would like you to have your say. The team relies on feedback from the community to help steer Linux Lite in a direction that most people favour. Please keep your replies to a polite and respectful tone, constructive criticism is welcome but please state your case clearly giving reasons.

I think Linux Lite with a browser upon install is a necessity. My choice is Fire Fox. It is just simpler for the new user. The program to add and/or remove browsers is a great idea to give users an choice and easy way to change browsers. 

To save space and add to choice, why not have other programs like LibreOffice, AbiWord and Gnumeric, graphic programs, games, etc. be installed by choice after system install by Install/Remove Additional Software or Docker www.docker.com? Maybe a link to the programs in Install Additional Software or somewhere could be shown so the new user could go the website to check out the software since LL currently does not a software center.

I am not much of a gamer so I always uninstall the games and game links with a new install of LL. I just like Mahjongg, Klondike, and Extreme Tux Racer so I always install them but I prefer the KDE graphics in those games so I install KMahjongg and KPatients as well as Extreme Tux Racer.

My first version of Linux Lite was 1.0.6 and it needed a DVD so I bought one and had it installed in my computer along with the CD burner. It was not expensive.

[riser]

Having read all the previous posts, most echo my thoughts (DVD size is fine, especially with USB media being quite common) with one difference: I would like to see both Firefox and Chrome included while letting the user choose which one is the default.

I started with Firefox many years ago, then a year or so ago switched to Chromium, then Chrome.  I now use Firefox and Chrome, having learned that neither is suitable for all my needs (some sites don't work well in one bu do in the other, extensions, etc.).

[Valtam]

Having DVD size would allow us to add some apps I've wanted to include for a while, like a timezone and date utility etc