On 12 Oct 2000, Randal L. Schwartz wrote:

> >>>>> "Bert" == Bert Freudenberg <bert at isg.cs.uni-magdeburg.de> writes:
> 
> Bert> This applies no matter what OS you're using. For example, the
> Bert> Unix Browser Plugin not too long ago was made of only external
> Bert> modules, and since the Unix VM does not load modules from the VM
> Bert> directory, you have to make sure the VM directory is either the
> Bert> current directory for Netscape or you point an environment
> Bert> variable to this directory. Something every Unix user should be
> Bert> able to do. You know how many questions I got about this issue?
> 
> Ahh, but we took away the command line from most Unix users, by
> putting this friendly desktop-of-the-day in its place.  The concept of
> a "current directory" or an "environment variable" is as foreign to
> many so-called Unix users as it is to Mac or Winders users now.
> 
> Also be aware that there are far more Unix users than there are Unix
> programmers now.  The ratio is perhaps approaching the ratio for
> the other desktop platforms.  You are speaking "programmer's" terms to
> someone who wants to view Squeak as an "end user".

Yes, I know now. The point I wanted to make is just that even for "geeky"
platforms like Unix the installation should be as simple as possible,
which especially means no system tweaking should be needed. Does anything
prevent us from searching for modules in the VM directory? That would
immediately solve the above issue.

For the browser plugin, I even would limit the module search path to that
single directory - otherwise, for example, a FFI module from a normal
Squeak installation sitting somewhere could become rather dangerous.

-- Bert