"Earlier this month I covered Ubuntu's Migration Assistant, which is one of the features that will be found in Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn. The migration-assistant is designed to make it very easy for Microsoft Windows converts to jump into the Ubuntu world by automatically transferring files and settings. However, when I originally tried out Ubuntu migration-assistant I had run into a few bugs that ultimately rendered the assistant useless. However, in that post Evan had commented that the two major bugs being recently corrected, so this morning I gave this installation assistant another shot."
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Member since:2006-10-08
"That would be good for the first step, so the complete migration process could be
1. detect installed Win Software"
That would be relatively easy as long it is not a very special software solution, such as video editing, music composing or database software.
"2. let the user choose the replacement option"
Best presented along with a mostly representative screenshot of the replacement.
"3. install the replacement SW (if not already done)"
This would require a DVD, additional CDs or an Internet connection because of the huge amount of alternatives.
"4. migrate the settings there"
And here we encounter the problem. Usually settings are stored binary, in a configuration file (or in some of them) or in the registry.
And I may say that you forgot an important point:
4a. translate the original settings so that the alternative software can use it
That could be a problem especially with software that does not conform to standards or open formats.
"Clean user interface, simple."
And entertaining, with dancing puppies while copying. :-)
"What do you think about this?"
I think that's an interesting approach, because it corrects the misbelief containint there's no software for Linux (assumed usually by users having their system full of pirated copies of expensive "Windows" software). Usual questions regarding Linux I hear here in Germay are "Is it the same as 'Windows'?" or "Does it look the same as 'XP'?" Many of the advantages of modern GUIs are usually declined, but the "Windows" user seems to feel more comfortable with some of the obsolete or complicated concepts he got used to.
Member since:2006-04-01
> That would be relatively easy as long it is not a
> very special software solution, such as video
> editing, music composing or database software.
Ofcourse. But, there is only a small amount of SW that is installed at 90% of all people. Already the existing tool solves a lot of problems.
> This would require a DVD, additional CDs or an
> Internet connection because of the huge amount of
> alternatives.
Just use what is in the Ubuntu repository. an/or what would fit best (MS Office --> OOO). Make a "90 % are happy with this solution"-approach. And let ubuntu (respective apt) install it.
>> 4. migrate the settings there
> And here we encounter the problem.
This is what the tool currently solves. This is what we already have now! The migration assistant already has the possibility to convert ("translate") MS Outlook settings into Thunderbird ones.
What I mean, in this example:
1. detect the Mail SW installed on Windows: Outlook, OE or Thunderbird
2. ask the user to choose Replacement: Evolution (full migration possible), Thunderbird (the same) or Sylpheed (migration by hand).
3. install the mail program if not there: apt-get $MAILPROGRAM
4. use the (already existent!) assistant routines to migrate
5. (to be in heaven): help the user with the new program assuming that he was already familar with the windows pendant.
Member since:
2006-04-01
It would also be nice if the tool could auto-detect the software installed in Windows and make hints how to replace them in Ubuntu -- with an option to install them (and migrate settings) instantly. That would be good for the first step, so the complete migration process could be
1. detect installed Win Software
2. let the user choose the replacement option
3. install the replacement SW (if not already done)
4. migrate the settings there
Clean user interface, simple. What do you think about this?