The Software Installation Game

Why is it that installing software on a server is always the same game? For me it doesn't matter if it's Windows or Linux either. It never goes quite like it should. I suppose that's half the fun...

Download said software or insert media

Windows: Double-click annoying splash screen with install button that just took 2 minutes to load

Linux: tar -xfvz to a temp directory and watch the pretty scrolling files

Windows: Still waiting for install button to do something

Linux: ./configure.

Windows: Click install button again.

Linux: configure: error: no acceptable gcc found in $PATH....

Windows: Close out three instances of installer that you've launched.

Linux: sudo yum install "every conceivable dependency for new software"

Windows: Next.

Linux: ./configure. Doze off to scrolling code...

Windows: Next.

Linux: ./make Get coffee. Go to the restroom. get lunch.

Windows: Next.

Linux: ./make install Get more coffee. Go to the restroom again. pick gunk under fingernails.

Windows: Accept, Next.

Linux: Finally read INSTALL. "Software will not run with syslog-ng"

Windows: Finish. Launch application.

Linux: rm -Rf /usr/local/newsoftware

Windows: Fatal exception error. BSOD

Yet another productive day!