[mythtv-users] A plea for some consideration for the poor suffering MythTV users

[Martin Brown]

On 08/08/12 15:59, Nick Rout wrote:
> On Wed, Aug 8, 2012 at 1:26 PM, Robin Gilks <g8ecj at gilks.org> wrote:
>>> On Tue, Aug 7, 2012 at 6:20 PM, Joe Henley <joehenley at kc.rr.com> wrote:
>>>> There were a couple of replies which were helpful, but in the replies so
>>>> far, not one -- NOT ONE -- has replied to his request.  _Documentation
>>>> please_ to help him install a product which he likes.
>>> The reason nobody has complied with his request is because it would
>>> not be productive.  There are much better ways to install or compile
>>> mythtv then manually installing dependencies.  Which he is asking for
>>> instructions to do.  Best way forward is to use apt to install mythtv
>>> dependencies like other people have suggested in this thread.  The
>>> developers of apt designed a very powerful system.  Use it.
>>>
>>> Now installing or compiling stuff for windows?  That is a pain in the
>>> ass and does require a wiki article explaining how to manually install
>>> 20+ dependencies.
>> I assume from all the replies that if ever anyone encounters a problem
>> installing MythTV then they blow away their chosen distribution and
>> install the latest Mythbuntu.
>>
>> From those suggestions, what would be the expected result from using
>> 'apt-get ....' on my Gentoo system for example - yup, got it in one -
>> " -bash: apt-get: command not found"
>>
>> In other words, Linux != Mythbuntu, even for a MythTV install.
> While you are technically correct, it is fast becoming the case that
> mythtv = mythbuntu (at least by default) for many people for a few
> reasons, and I am not trying to be exhaustive, but:
>
> 1. general newbie user familiarity with ubuntu, combined with the fact
> you can get a lot of other software that people also like to run on
> their backend on ubuntu (case in point, logitech media server (LMS)).
>
> 2. only one other specialised mythtv distro now that mythdora is dead,
> and that is LinHES. LinHES is a great product but doesn't have the
> market penetration. It has a very dedicated, but quite small team. I
> was asked on this list to submit a ticket to get LMS into LinHES, and
> I did so, but so far I don't think its been looked at or assigned, let
> alone done. That is unfortunately a deal breaker for me. Not a
> criticism of the LinHES guys, just an example of the fact that a
> smaller project may give you less options for "extras".
>
> 3. mythbuntu's very up to date packaging - both master and
> latest-release-fixes up to date after every commit. This is pretty
> important.
>
> I know people will have other ideas about what is good, bad or
> indifferent about their fave distro, and point out that they have been
> running myth on slackware since 0.16 without a reboot, but for a user
> looking for an easy experience and up to date packages, mythbuntu must
> be near the top of their list.
>
> I used to be a big gentoo fanboy, I ran gentoo installfests,
> proseltised it till the cows came home (pun? sorry), but got too busy.
> When I retire I might have time for it :)
>
> One thing about mint is that it does have mythtv in it's repos, but
> the mythbuntu repos do not (presently) work with mint.
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Well, that certainly stirred up the hornets nest! One of the best things about MythTV (and other Linux/UNIX apps) is the
involvement of a huge range of users and developers who come to the aid of other struggling users with (mostly) helpful
comments and suggestions.
 
The comments have been very valid, and yes, I could have just installed the MythTV packages. However, I'd still have
this (http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/525274) problem. Last time I used the distribution packages I
had another sound issue (or was it the dreaded lirc?) which I could only resolve with the latest source at the
time. Marius Ducea has some very apt comments here (http://www.ducea.com/2008/01/16/source-or-package-install/). I want
to unclutter the MythTV menus and not install packages that I don't use so a source build is needed. I'd also still have
to fix this (https://bugs.launchpad.net/mythbuntu/+bug/1004974) to fix the Mythbuntu theme which a "user" (ie. spouse)
spotted within two minutes of using the new system.
 
Next time, if I still want to build from source I'll be doing the apt-get build-dep first as suggested.
 
Brian's analogy with a car owner/mechanic is apt but if I could elaborate a bit:
        I'm a "trained professional" with 25 years experience in designing, building and fixing engines of many
sorts. I'm OK with getting my hands dirty in order to get the car running the way I like with the appropriate features.
When I get the latest version of the fuel injection computer direct from the manufacturer, I really don't want to spend
hours on some problem only to find that the water pump that's been in the car for 5 years has to be upgraded as well and
without it, turning the ignition key only results in the machine back-firing and spitting the key out of the ignition
(ie. a segmentation fault). It would also be nice if the gear level didn't disappear into the engine compartment every
time the ignition is turned off because of some missing setting on the exhaust gas recirculation valve. And when I ask
for some advice from the local garage, I get the usual sage shaking of heads with "so you didn't read that bit on page
25 under "Before installing the injection computer on an Austin Healy" instead of just reading the "How to install the
injection computer" booklet that was in the box. I exaggerate, but you get the idea.
 
Thank you joehenley for summarising my request so succinctly. I've just found this:
http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Dependencies_(Building_from_source)
<http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Dependencies_%28Building_from_source%29> but it seems pretty out of date and incomplete.
It's also not linked from the main wiki docs page under "Checking Prerequisites, Software". Instead there's a suggestion
about running the apt-get build-dep if you're using Mythbuntu/Debian and a link to Jarod's blog about Fedora
installations, which again seems very out of date.

Martin