why is gtk install so difficult?

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a sensitive topic, this.  the question is: why is it so difficult to
install a new gtk?

the answer from most linux developers would be, "it WASN'T difficult for
me."

which follows a long-standing linux tradition of insulting someone for
asking a question, instead of answering the question.

so, I don't want those kind of responses, please.  I am an experienced
software developer, and I have spent long hours creating installation
scripts.  I have been using Linux since 1998, and have had significant
experience with SuSe, REdHat, and now, Mandrake distros.

the Linux community is beginning to change its attitude towards many
issues involving end-user competence/incompetence, but software
installation is still a big problem.  I think this needs to change. 
maybe you agree.

Consider the JDK...also, like the GTK, a "toolkit", which, ostensibly,
contains all the "tools" you'll need to start developing Java/Gnome
apps; and that is the goal, after all, isn't it? - to get developers
right to the task of developing.  The goal really isn't to instruct
them, through trial-by-fire, in the ins and outs of software
installation.

At first, the jdk install was troublesome.  But, nowadays, it's just
download, run their installer (regardless of the platform), set you PATH
(if you feel like it, for convenience), and there you go...start
programming in Java.

I'd like that to be available for the GTK, as well.  Of course, the main
problem is freedom - freedom to configure my personal set up like I
want. And, no unessecary libraries - if i already have glib at the right
level, i don't want some other installation to install it again, over my
existing installation.  This is a good thing - to the extent that it is
managable.

Ultimately, I'd like to see the gtk install simply check for the correct
level of dependant software during configure, prompt me when it finds a
too-low level, and then prompt me to download, install, link, and set
paths in the gtk config, so that the installation of gtk is sort of a
contiguous, and successful, process.

Alternatively, the gtk tarball could simply contain all the dependant
libraries, and install them to the installation root of gtk.  This
solves the problem of the various Linux distros NOT using standardised
paths for the standard libraries.

Hope this is taken in the best sense - an effort to inspire Gnome
development by making the tool kit as easily accessible as possible.

-- 
Kameron Cole
IBM Senior Edcation Specialist/Systems Programmer
515.283.2955

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