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Debian Packages Screenshots Repository Launched
Christoph Haas writes "A picture is worth a thousand words. And thanks to
screenshots.debian.net this finally comes true for Debian packages. The new website was launched just a week ago and has already collected screenshots for 740 packages shipping with the Linux distribution — with new uploads pouring in every hour. Debian users can finally get an impression of how an application would look before installing it."
Great idea, but it needs some guidelines. Styling being the most obvious one (no I don't want to see how it looks using the custom skin you made that shows off several varieties of wood), but much more importantly is libraries. If you have a look through their "things needing screenshots" section, you'll notice that it's full of libs, many of which have no interface at all. That being the case, why are they there? Seems to me like all the data here needs some garbage collection and more rigid guidelines.
This is a very good idea. I could see this being one of those new killer features to brings linux to more desktops. Integrating this into a package manager could really help new users see the (perceived) quality of some of the software projects available to them -- most people only see GUIs. Integrate a user comment/review section for individual programs, and it becomes even more accessible.
I'm aware that this is already contained in a site like freshmeat, but the point would be to make a unified experience to the new/old user. Throw in bug submission, and it's even more useful. A single program to browse, view screenshots, review/comment and submit bugs for programs. You could even throw in a paypal donation, which either gets disbursed to everybody or specific projects. There's a lot that could be done, and this is one area that OSS really shines.
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News for Geeks in Austin, TX
Would have been really better if they had tried to gather some cross distro support, and host it somewhere other than *.debian.net. Especially as we are moving toward a package UI abstraction in the form of PackageKit.
"Thanks for all the money you paid to us. We've used it to buy off ISO among other things" -Microsoft
Debian users can finally get an impression of how an application would like look before installing it.
But what if I want to know what an application would look like, not how it will like look, after it will have been installed?
Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
The photograph told the story.
It was simple enough. A small handwritten sign that had no doubt been quickly and effortlessly designed in a single moment in the locker room after the game. Rob Limo's sweaty jock-strap was hung with the utmost care slightly above and to the right of CmdTaco's heavily-disfigured face. The heavy ink scribbled on the front stated not a word, but a number - 400. 400 times Rob Limo had ejaculated sperm in Malda's waiting mouth.
400 times. The picture really was worth a thousand words. That and Kathleen Fent's face when she heard the horrifying news: her husband is a homo.
But, there are more than just facts to this story. There's the emotional side, the side not caught in the picture showing only the smiling, disfigured face of Malda, after Kathleen cut his face with a broken glass ashtray.
There's the overjoyed ESR, who once said that many wins only means he's getting old. Too old to keep his shit in from taking RMS's cock in too far...too many times. 400 times.
ESR is far from old by college head coaching/cock sucking standards, but he is extremely successful by any measuring dip-stick.
The photograph told the story, but the single teardrop that escaped and ran down the veteran coach's left cheek filled in the emotion. And - some would say - sperm from Limo's man-meat.
He didn't have to say a word. The teardrop said it all.
When ESR sat down for his usual postgame radio interview with Stallman, Athletics Radio Network play-by-play broadcaster Casey Hogan, he had no idea what was to come. Then Malda came and his life became and unending man-brothel of heathen delight. ESR would never be the same.
University presidents and system admins don't just go around giving out pats on the back and congratulations for minor accomplishments.
This was big. As big as Stallman's meat-sword.
As the congratulatory statements played out, Malda, who calls himself blessed to have the opportunity to coach the game, was overwhelmed. And he cried like a little girl.
And for a moment, just a moment, he allowed himself to enjoy some much deserved satisfaction.
On the road, it's just the old cuckolded coach and his most faithful supporters. The fans making the road trip three hours away over the break are the ones who bleed purple and white (mostly hot, yellowish white cum).
Determination to get the job done, whatever the cost. Determination to be successful by doing the right things, off the court as well as on it.
While the only thing remaining to have evaded the coach thus far in his illustrious career is a national title, he is determined to fix that, too.
Because when ESR is determined, and can finally get off the booze long enough to get it up, there is nothing that can stop him.
The picture spreads the news of 400 AIDs-virus spewing cums.
But it was the teardrop that said it all.
Is it just my observation, or is eldavojohn an idiot?
Great idea, absolutely but is it really necessary? When I want to try out a package, I immediately just type the name into Google Images and get a good impression that way.
But it's of course great for Linux-newbs to see it. It's probably more eyecandy than useful.
As long as there are slaughterhouses, there will be battlefields.
I read on the site that someone integrated this into Synaptic, can't wait to try that out later.
Also there's an image for Extreme Tux Racer but not Tux Racer. Boo.
Reviewing just the first hour of video games.
What exactly does a screenshot of openldap-server look like?
THL phish sticks
I found a screenshot of the new release - looks awesome!
Well, I just submitted a screenshot of GNU ed, it shouldn't be too hard to guess the contents.
I found a screenshot of the new release - looks awesome!
Screenshots of lesbian packages? I didn't know lesbians had packages, but even if they did, what's this doing on /.?
Oh, wait...
When showing a visual profile of each application, they should also show the typical memory usage. (A screenshot of top with the resident size highlighted would be an imperfect but OK first cut.)
Firefox has done a great job of reducing its memory footprint (and could do even more). Let's see some other desktop memory pigs follow suit.
I like the guideline "Please set your language to english so that everybody understands it. If you don't use english by default please start your application from a shell using after setting "export LANG=C". (sic)
Clearly the word English should be capitalised, but more to the point the assumption that everyone in the world will understand if it's in English amuses me. This Comment from an English AC. P.S Don't reply about English being a common language, I know that.
they beat me to it.
This is a great idea. I've already uploaded 3 pages to it and I can't wait until I see screenshots in synaptic :)
Everything old is new again. CNR.com
mostly useless
#!/usr/bin/perl
my $package = shift;
$package = lc($package);
my $url = "http://screenshots.debian.net/screenshot/$package";
exec 'xdg-open', "$url";
Specialization is for insects. -Heinlein
Is there a decent random number generator in there somewhere?
It's a different way to discover new applications. Sometimes you know what you're looking for is going to 'look' like. That's why your looking for it.
I looked up kernel package and here is the screenshot! http://www.biologie.uni-hamburg.de/b-online/library/maize/www.ag.iastate.edu/departments/agronomy/images/corn/fig49.gif
I had installed Debian for the first time just a few days ago on my Labtop. I was asking around in the irc suggesting that they Debian people spice up there website. With some screenshots and screencasts. Someone pointed out to me the website and I was like....Awesome. :)