Linked by Thom Holwerda on Wed 17th Jan 2007 10:23 UTC, submitted by gireesh
Work has begun on a Windows-based installer for Ubuntu. "The aim of this installer is to provide an easier way for a Windows user to install Ubuntu without having to know how to burn a CD .iso, set the BIOS to boot from CD, repartition the disks, set up a multiboot system, etc. It will not replace any of the current Ubuntu installation options, and will not require that Windows is installed prior to the installation of Ubuntu." Update: Screenshots.
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Member since:
2005-08-28
Well, I read it the same way. As it is, I thought "will not require that Windows is installed" was still referring to 'it' [the Windows installer].
Perhaps it would make sense worded this way: "The Windows Installer is an additional installation method, and will not replace any of the current Ubuntu installation options."
Oh, and as for people wondering why the Ubuntu people are doing this, it's just another way to lower the barriers. Since major OEMs are still all Windows for whatever reason, they have to find ways to make it easier to get Linux onto people's computers.
Yeah, there are arguments that it'll generate a whole influx of seriously confused people who have no idea what they're doing (a lot of them are probably seriously confused by Windows, too), but the argument seems awfully elitist to me. In a way, it sounds like the arguments that people shouldn't be allowed to use Linux if they don't want to learn CSH scripting.
There's a lot more voodoo involved in setting up partitions and multiboot and so on, than just using Gnome. This basically reduces the danger of wiping out Windows, so there's a safety net.