Feedback
Posted: 15 Apr 2012, 02:50
Got a copy of Porteus to try as I need a persistent install USB linux for doing data recovery jobs.
This was to be a work project. I fix computers for a living.
Got ISO. Mounted ISO in Win. Read Install instructions - burned ISO to disk, booted to CD.
Got into Porteus. Found installer. Ran it.
Could not see USB. It was plugged in FAT32 F/S
Wondering whats going on, see note: "must be mounted onto partition"
Oh, Ok. Grab Gparted and format USB.
Search START for GPARTED. Not there.
Ok. Maybe I need to mount.
Search disks, find USB, Mount. Now I can see it in installer.
Great.
Run installer, and it gets to the end with something about running a script from /sdb1/boot
I eventially figure out how to run the script and cant see anything about setting up a bootloader, or anything else for that matter.
Ok. Makes no sense. Reboot and see if it works.
Reboot:
"remove disks or other media"
Ok. Not working this machine. Dont plan to go through that again, so will just try on this other machine to be sure.
Same result.
If installation is this difficult I dont want to find out how much time I will waste on the actual OS. I ended up just putting the CD in the bin.
Some feedback:
1. If you're referring to partitioning being a requirement in your installer, consider providing GPARTED.
2. Its not immediately apparent from the installer's dialogue that you have to separately MOUNT a USB drive to install to it. You guys who are old-school Linux geeks will be scratching your head wondering what I am talking about.
My point is that you're promoting your product as a transition from Windows. For Windows users, the notion of not being able to see a disk until its mounted is not available. This is especially confusing as the instructions just say to 'refresh' as though that will address the issue. It doesnt. Just creates confusion.
3. The post-install wording about running the script is nonsensical. I could see how to find and run the script, but could not see from the instructions, why I needed to do that, or what it would achieve. Its a bit difficult to understand from the wording thats there.
So anyway, Guys. This is feedback.
FWIW I dont want to have to 'figure out' and RTFM to use something as simple as a USB installer. From what I can see here on a product-development standpoint, there's some issues that are really frustrating and difficult to understand from an end-user standpoint.
Yeah, I get it, this is a hobby, and its free, and all the rest of it. But this is not really an ideal setup from my experience of using it. Actually I found it very confusing. It may be a pass-time for you, but professionals will actually pick up PORTEUS with a view to using it for professional applications. If it was a high-quality product it might gain some traction. The concept is great, but the implementation needs some work.
Good product design is intuitive for end-users. Anyone can use it simply, easily. (Pendrive Linux have products you would be familiar with that apply this maxim: find the Distro, find the Stick, click GO). It shouldnt be this difficult, or complex, in Porteus. Particularly as a first step in using the OS, (IE to INSTALL IT).
Intuitive was not what the experience of using the Porteus installer was for me, anyway, and I have a tech background of some 20 years. I hate to think what this would be like for the average Windows end-user.
Best of luck with Porteus. I appreciate your efforts but wouldnt be back in a hurry and would not be recommending to end users based on my experience with this build.
Just my 5c for what its worth.
This was to be a work project. I fix computers for a living.
Got ISO. Mounted ISO in Win. Read Install instructions - burned ISO to disk, booted to CD.
Got into Porteus. Found installer. Ran it.
Could not see USB. It was plugged in FAT32 F/S
Wondering whats going on, see note: "must be mounted onto partition"
Oh, Ok. Grab Gparted and format USB.
Search START for GPARTED. Not there.
Ok. Maybe I need to mount.
Search disks, find USB, Mount. Now I can see it in installer.
Great.
Run installer, and it gets to the end with something about running a script from /sdb1/boot
I eventially figure out how to run the script and cant see anything about setting up a bootloader, or anything else for that matter.
Ok. Makes no sense. Reboot and see if it works.
Reboot:
"remove disks or other media"
Ok. Not working this machine. Dont plan to go through that again, so will just try on this other machine to be sure.
Same result.
If installation is this difficult I dont want to find out how much time I will waste on the actual OS. I ended up just putting the CD in the bin.
Some feedback:
1. If you're referring to partitioning being a requirement in your installer, consider providing GPARTED.
2. Its not immediately apparent from the installer's dialogue that you have to separately MOUNT a USB drive to install to it. You guys who are old-school Linux geeks will be scratching your head wondering what I am talking about.
My point is that you're promoting your product as a transition from Windows. For Windows users, the notion of not being able to see a disk until its mounted is not available. This is especially confusing as the instructions just say to 'refresh' as though that will address the issue. It doesnt. Just creates confusion.
3. The post-install wording about running the script is nonsensical. I could see how to find and run the script, but could not see from the instructions, why I needed to do that, or what it would achieve. Its a bit difficult to understand from the wording thats there.
So anyway, Guys. This is feedback.
FWIW I dont want to have to 'figure out' and RTFM to use something as simple as a USB installer. From what I can see here on a product-development standpoint, there's some issues that are really frustrating and difficult to understand from an end-user standpoint.
Yeah, I get it, this is a hobby, and its free, and all the rest of it. But this is not really an ideal setup from my experience of using it. Actually I found it very confusing. It may be a pass-time for you, but professionals will actually pick up PORTEUS with a view to using it for professional applications. If it was a high-quality product it might gain some traction. The concept is great, but the implementation needs some work.
Good product design is intuitive for end-users. Anyone can use it simply, easily. (Pendrive Linux have products you would be familiar with that apply this maxim: find the Distro, find the Stick, click GO). It shouldnt be this difficult, or complex, in Porteus. Particularly as a first step in using the OS, (IE to INSTALL IT).
Intuitive was not what the experience of using the Porteus installer was for me, anyway, and I have a tech background of some 20 years. I hate to think what this would be like for the average Windows end-user.
Best of luck with Porteus. I appreciate your efforts but wouldnt be back in a hurry and would not be recommending to end users based on my experience with this build.
Just my 5c for what its worth.