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Originally Posted by Shades
I wasn't even discussing dependency issues in that part, but OK... A centralized distribution method makes it easier to install software, but it's not the only way.
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My apologies. Your post, which I quoted part of it was an answer specifically about Kovid complaining about dependency issues. I didn't realize you strayed off topic (concerning the dependencies) halfway through your post.
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And of course, you can do a manual installation through terminal. This is of course where you can run into dependency hell if you aren't careful.
The thing is, if you are using one of the more commonly used distros, the latter option is very rarely needed. Most software either is in the store, has a more up to date PPA that you can add instead of using the store, has a deb (or rpm for Fedora) or has it's own preferred installation method (i.e. Calibre).
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Rarely needed is the key point. If you never install anything other than the recommended default programs in a distro, you will be still happy with linux, as that usually covers the majority of uses. And for every "correct" way to do things, there is a many "wrong" ways to do so as well.
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The last time I had to mess with a manual installation of software was years ago when I first started using Linux and needed a graphics driver back in 2008.
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That is good for you, but you are only one user. And you admit that it is or can be a mess to do anything by hand or from other than the automated packagers / installers. In every OS it is very much easier to simply use what is installed than to also do your own system administration - that is why there is IT departments whenever computers are used in a company.