Re: new options for ifconfig

["Generic Player" <suck@my-balls.com>]

> And that's the point. People often don't understand how to properly
use
> the tools around them, and often do crude hacks that nobody
understands.
> That's why I wrote this patch. And IMO it's better to hide the
> "complexity" (which is not really one) inside ifconfig than to show it
> in every script.

So, because some moron that's too stupid to be using his system can't
script, everyone else should have extra shit thrown in their system
utilities?  How about using your desire to help by making a "how to
write shell scripts" webpage for them instead?  Adding unwanted and
unneeded complexity to core system utilites because someone, somewhere
can't figure out a basic script is just dumb.  Try this instead:

1. see problem
2. find solution

In your case, the problem is people not knowing how to script, so solve
that problem, instead of trying to bastardize the system for them.  How
far can you go in adding new switches to things when people can't figure
out how to use the tools they have?  What if I only want the first
octect of the IP address, but I am too dumb to figure out cut?  Are you
going to want another switch to ifconfig to give me that?  What if that
hex netmask is too tough for me to understand, I want it in CIDR
notation, you gonna write me a switch for that?  You are doing more good
by helping people learn to use what they have, then trying to add every
dumb switch imaginable.  If they had these new switches, it may solve an
immediate problem for them, but nothing more.  If you just teach them
how to use their system, it would solve all of their future scripting
problems.

Adam