Drop PIM from the iso (default install)

[rhkramer at gmail.com]

Intro: I use Debian (Wheezy and Jessie) but that won't keep me from offering my 
opinions here (which should also be considered applicable to Debian)

On Friday, September 15, 2017 08:52:04 AM Clive Johnston wrote:
> I know this is not going to be a popular subject for some, but I feel it
> does need debated.  I would like to propose dropping PIM (all of it) from
> the iso (Kubuntu install medium)

+1

> 1) PIM is a system resource hog - It starts services in the background
> which lead to longer waiting times to actually boot into your desktop.  We
> tried to disable a lot of these services from auto-starting in Zesty and
> found that our default install footprint (memory and speed getting to
> desktop) was greatly reduced.

+1

> 2) Majority of people don't actually use it - I am definitely in the
> minority of Kubuntu users who actually do use PIM features, and I love it.
> However, most users do not use it but are having it installed by default.
> This means that they will then have to keep it updated, unless they
> physically remove it.

+1

> 3) iso size - PIM is a bit of a beast and is quite big size wise (when you
> consider all the dependencies).  Dropping it off the iso would make the
> total iso size smaller and will also make installation a bit quicker as
> hundreds of extra packages won't have to be installed.

+1

> 4) Upgrade overhead - Every-time a Kubuntu user does an upgrade, PIM will
> need to be upgraded too.  For those on slower internet connections (like
> myself) this can be slow and frustrating.  This is even more annoying if
> you don't even use the PIM suite!

+1

> 5) KDE neon don't install it by default - The official KDE distribution
> don't install it by default.  Probably due to the resource hogging as
> described above.

I have no knowledge of neon, but it sounds like they understand PIM ;-)
 
> 6) Any part of the suite can easily be installed via Discover, Muon or
> Konsole by those who actually do want it.  In my opinion opting in is more
> in line with Freedoms of open source software rather than opting out (just
> personal opinion).

+1, and I'd almost echo what Franklin Weng says in the next post in the 
thread--I use Kmail (and the KDE desktop and some other KDE applications, 
e.g., kate and kwrite), but not much else (that I can recall offhand).  I don't 
use kwallet, akregator, or korganizer, and would be happy to be specifically 
required to install those should I want them--and, really, the same for kmail, 
kate, and kwrite).

It would be nice if there were a simple display related to the kde install 
which allowed me to pick which "optional" kde components I'd like to install 
by means of something like a list with checkboxes. 

 
> I'm interested in other opinions and a debate on the issue, so please reply
> to this thread.
> 
> Clive