I must say I'm with you on this one, OrangeCrate ... I came, I saw, I went back home ...

But before I go ...

The debates rage on, be it about Automatix, Synaptic, apt-get or some other thing that someone does or doesn't like or get along with ... these won't stop anytime soon or at all. Unfortunately, many times they regress from civilized debates and discussions ... if they even start that way ... to rantings, ravings, name calling, profane references, etc.

Now as to the use of scripts-base programs like Automatix to install software, whether it be official Ubuntu or from outside sources, many users simply want to use a GUI rather than work with terminal commands. And there's nothing wrong with that ... it's not lazy, it's just a matter of choice of tools. So to slam these people or denigrate Automatix because of personal dislikes is so counter-productive. If there is legitimate, documentable reasoning behind any recommendation not to use a particular program or source or method, present it in such a manner that it makes sense and will be paid attention to. Don't simply say "it breaks things" or "it broke my system" or some other such inane, non-definitive statement ... tell us how it broke stuff and what else you may have been doing at the time and any shortcuts you may have been taking ...

As to Automatix, I've used it, along with Synaptic, because I'm evaluating Ubuntu from a initiate user's point of view and it presents an easy-to-use interface for installing programs ... especially "outside" stuff with Automatix ... including satisfying any dependencies. I've also used the "apt-get" method. The key is they all work, depending on your needs and/or desires and depth of knowledge. And they don't break things ... people break things. There may be an occasional glitch, but these are usually handled fairly quickly ... perhaps not quick enough for some who are particularly impatient, but fixed nonetheless ...

Not everyone's a geek ... especially those new to the Ubuntu community ... and they just want to get started the simplest way possible to have a system up and running, tweaked and updated. Or to upgrade their OS as they move along. Or to add something like extra fonts that Ubuntu doesn't supply. Automatix works to satisfy that goal and I think the AX team needs to be congratulated for what they've given to Ubuntu ... whether or not you like Arnieboy which, of course, has no place in any argument for or against Automatix itself...

And with that, I'm gone ... outa here ... ya'll have fun ...