What is it called?

[j-retired]

As I read the forums, I keep seeing app names I never heard of, with useful functions. I know there is a suggested list of windows/linux equivalents, but it is limited in scope. Is there, anywhere, a more comprehensive list of app names and what they do?  To me, this has always been a problem with linux.
I think maybe it's the result of linux being a "not for the common crowd" system in it's not too long distant past, when some people thought that a title like "pacl" was self-explanatory. Perhaps it is - to those developing it - but to the would-be user if pacl doesn't ring a bell, then it effectively doesn't exist.
Going through the short summaries in Synaptic is tedious if you have no idea initially where to look.
Now this is an area where windoze has the advantage, because even if an app name is not self-explanatory, the massive advertising budget does the job anyway!
Can this be overcome???

Any suggestions?

j

[Joble]

The app name is usually (not always) a project on sourceforge.  The sourceforge page should give some indication of it's function.  (I expect maybe you know that and I am not understanding the question.)   

[j-retired]

Yes, thanks, but the problem as I see it is that to use that facility you need to choose a name to start with - there is (as far as I know) no "reverse search" feature such that you can start with "what I want to do is..." and end up with a list of possible apps.  That is how I see the problem, and having converted a number of friends to "PCLOS", I feel a bit silly when they ask for an app and I can't suggest anything!

j

[MBantz]

Hi J,

this is a good question! Actually the only solution in PCLinux is to use Synaptic and use the 'Section/Category' filter - there are not (by intention) many sections, and it will narrow the options down. When packaging, I spend quite some time to find the right category to put the RPM package into.

For the end-user, it is a matter of knowing the sections/categories for faster retrieval of a useful program.

Another tip is as Joble suggests a search on sourceforge - and then eventually write a package suggest if you need the program.

If you install a program that 'sounds right' - then the man pages for the program usually provide more hints - and of course the website for the program (it they have one - usually they have).

Finally, the forum is very helpful,

hope this helps :-)

cheers
MBantz

[skyhawk]

... Actually the only solution in PCLinux is to use Synaptic and use the 'Section/Category' filter ...

Follow the advice from MBantz. Synaptic might not display all the info you need to make a good selection. If so, make a list of software candidates, then "Google" to find the home pages for those selections. You should then have all the necessary details. I read-up on applications before I install them. Doing a little research ahead of time can reduce the "frustration-factor".

[gandy]

I think I understand what j-retired is saying. It would be nice if the description for the app would be more detailed. For instance, some apps are CLI only and it isn't mentioned in the description. Some apps have very brief descriptions. If users are used to Windows apps, they are used to seeing a page that describes what the app does in great detail.

[MBantz]

Well, yes,

I agree that this issue could be better handled (-and- I will suggest you all to become packagers, it's great fun AND you will often be the first with a shiny new software on PCLinux).

The Synaptic and RPM system as is present, only seem to ignore the URL tag for the sourcekode that is put into each RPM - and this is even not entirely interesting for the end-user. The other metadata information is provided in Synaptic, most important the description.

Technically speaking, if the RPM packaging system supports this additional meta-data level it would be 'more easy' to add it to Synaptic - but it does not. Meaning that the RPM packaging system and Synaptic have to be lifted simultaneously.

For additional metadata I would suggest:
- Screen dumps
- URL's to website, FAQ, documentation, quick-start
- Default keybindings if any
- Location in menu, or cli command for man pages or just quick-start
- Special hardware requirements

I don't know who make Synaptic, but the OP could direct this request there when we are finished discussing it. RPM must be handled by Red-Hat I assume,

cheers,
MBantz

[Roc4fun]

I usually end up going down the software road suggested by skyhawk.


I have a need for an app... I'll google "app-name linux".

I'll parse my results and recover the software titles... then I'll google the individual software titles.

After reviewing these results, I'll choose a title, and maybe an alternate, and see if it is in synaptic.

If it isn't I'll go to package request ;-)

Dave

[exwintech]

J-retired - I've been "commenting" on the Linux-names things for a few years...

> Often the Names seem to be derived from older "l33t" usages, or are "in-circle" names from various developer lots....

> Sometimes a Name is indeed related to function - OpenOffice and Digikam being a couple.

> But frequently, a Name is apparently "smart, clever, or funny" to the developers... But has an unfortunate meaning in other parts of the World. So while "Gimp" might be "smart" where Gimp is made - in the Std English Speaking parts of the World, it means Crippled, Disabled, Derelict, Disfunctional, and worse. So one avoids "becoming a gimp" - and runs Photoshop in PCLOS-Wine... Which works-very-nicely-thanks... 

> Then something like "Qtpfsgui" is "so self-explanatory" - that one runs freeby Windows HDR apps in Wine for quite some time before tripping-over a Post in Canon Camera Forum, that says "Linux also has HDR apps, the best being Qtpfsgui...". So THEN one looks for it and tries it... Bingo! A very good HDR app....!  I do wonder how many Linuxers, wanting to do HDR - have the faintest clue that it exists...

> Then - the somewhat sad Name of "Admin" in Linux.... That does have "interesting" meanings outside American English... Having to check folk over for injuries after you say "Su to Root" - and they collapse in hysterics - my Landlord's 19-year-old son, was the latest - can be a bit time-consuming...

> To me, that Name reminds me of an Oz marsupial - The Wombat, which eats roots and leaves... Careful where you put any commas...

Regards, Dave.

[airdrik]

A lot of the little apps, utilities and libraries that you may see in Synaptic, or made mention of have little short names because they are easier to type (e.g. "cd" vs. "ChangeDirectory", or "gimp" vs. "GnuImageProcessor"), which in earlier times was a lot more important when you were launching everything from the command line.  Now people just look at the names and say huh   Which is why they are often accompanied by an extra description (which is sometimes and unfortunately insufficient).