KAdmin

[Frans Englich]

For long buzzed about is KAdmin, similar to KControl but 
does only contain server administration functionality(which KControl have in 
addition to user preferences), and has KParts as content instead of 
KCModules. 
KAdmin would have kernel configuration, boot manager,  "pseudo modules" 
linking to web admin interfaces, kuser, KIOSK(no, that's nothing you need as 
a regular user) -- all integrated under one roof. KAdmin would typically be 
installed on servers only.


Why is KAdmin needed and what problems does it solve?

* Administration software is more than simple configuration options -- it's a 
working area. Some understandable needs toolbars, menus and so forth, and 
have tried implementing it in KCModules(QWidget) and it doesn't work -- it's 
like squeezing an elephant through a key hole. Administration functionality 
needs the flexibility KParts offers; a widget in a dialog is insufficient.

* It is hard to design a KControl when it has such a wide role and demands on 
flexibility and expandability. When administration functionality is taken 
care of elsewhere, its scope is narrow, and designing the content(categories 
etc.) and representation(the GUI) gets easier. KControl can become a simple 
application for user preferences.

* As noted above, administration stuff lives between KCModule and standalone 
apps -- the former to small, the latter usually overkill. KAdmin would reduce 
the number of entries in the KMenu, group related together and bring 
consistency -- like KControl. A unified way of handling root permissions, and 
less code.

In short, having this diversity in KControl restrains everyone, and by 
splitting the content in two and ensuring these two do One Thing Well, 
everyone will be happier. Especially KControl needs it as a step towards 
avoiding feature bloat.


This is no new idea, of course. There's SuSE's YaST, and kde-debian have stuff 
too -- important is that "KAdmin"(whatever that will be) is part of KDE.

Currently my plan is to write this umbrella application KAdmin for KDE 4. 
Input on its specification is of course welcomed -- but let's see if we get 
that far.

I've probably missed tons of stuff already, so comments, Corrections, 
questions and updates on what already is going on would be great.


			Frans