What's up with linux package systems?

[Chetan1991]

Why can't they be more like windows setup files?
The concept of modularity seems to have been taken too seriously. The self containing nature of windows setups is very appealing esp. in a country like ours where not everyone has access to high speed 24*7 reliable internet connection.
Isn't there any system to create setups of programs which can be portable and self containing? The stupid dependency system is frustrating to no end.
Any solutions?

 

[Inceptionist]

Maybe this will help you.
Get packages and dependencies for installing offline | TuxRadar Linux

 

[Chetan1991]

Thanks. But these are workarounds. I am interested in knowing why such a system still exists? Not everyone compiles from source and I don't think native compilation makes that much of a difference nowadays. Binaries should be available as a single file that you can install anywhere without net connection.

 

[Neuron]

I don't think there is much difference between windows and linux in the case of dependencies. Windows comes only in DVDs containing everything you need to run and install other applications. People usually install the basic linux system that comes in 700MB CDs. If you get the DVD version you may not have to download additional packages from the internet.

 

[hellknight]

There are certain binaries like Google Chrome, Opera, Adobe Reader etc. But once you get the hang of using the package manager, you'll find the binaries absolutely unnecessary. Besides, the binaries in GNU/Linux pave way for dependency hell. So it is better to install from a package manager than to use the binaries.

 

[ashishagarwal]

Linux is Linux after all

Windows is made for the normal users for the UI is tuned and is simple

Linux is for the server side and more for sys admin purpose which makes it difficult to use

 

[Anish]

Linux is for the server side and more for sys admin purpose which makes it difficult to use

Blasphemy!
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@OP: Yes, as Neuron pointed out, if you do the DVD installation, you get pretty much all dependencies. But you get the don't-needs too and its another work to remove the unwanted if you need to.Linux is more like a personilized system than windows(which is a generalized system)

 

[skeletor]

There are certain software which come with all the libraries. The .deb package of Opera in Opera's website is one example.

And there are also certain tar.gz packages which can be simply extracted and then the executable can be ran. Just like it's the case in Mac. Urban Terror (game) is one example. Usually we tend to install/extract these packages in the folder /opt.

Ubuntu will be doing something regarding this btw - [Phoronix] Ubuntu To Get Its Own Package Format, App Installer

 

[Theodre]

It is a bit of downer!! Am still hesitant to recommend linux to those who don't have broadband!! This is mainly effecting the new comers...

 

[sling-shot]

These days the amount of security updates means a broadband connection is essential for Windows too. Although one might source the original installer package from DVDs, they are almost always outdated and newer versions are out and as soon as you launch the program, it will phone home and request/demand that you install a newer updated version.

Advantage with Linux will be that one could do this in one go using the package manager rather than using the individual program updates that each in Windows tend to launch an ever running updater application in the background unnecessarily.