I've been using Webmin to administer servers for years and it's been a real boon to manage updates, monitor disk usage, configure services, and get a general overview of the health of the system. Since it's web-based (and perl backed) I can see no reason why it can't be used to provide easy and graphical access to system processes and settings. I don't know why I haven't installed it on my newly-reconfigured laptop, but I wonder if others see the same benefit, or is it overkill under MATE?
1 Like
To me that is an overkill for home user. Say, I used cockpit, scripted SSH access and pro monitoring system while (remotely) administered datacenter servers from my workplace. And yes, I have nothing similar installed on my home notebook! 
2 Likes
Well, I was kind of thinking about the oft-heard complaint that Linux is "too hard" for the (below) average Windows/Mac user. I think much of this perception is based on the idea that to properly configure a Linux computer, one must roll up the sleeves, open a terminal session and write a lot of commands and .conf files. The answer to that could be something like webmin, which contains some 110+ built-in modules, with another similar number of third-party add-ons available. I'm a person who believes in working smart, rather than working hard. Webmin gives me (imo) a faster approach to solving system issues.
1 Like
I do not dispute the idea of tools which are more efficient and less labour-consuming than, say, cli interface. I think that a good desktop OS 'just works' and non-expert user does not have to solve system-related issues.
My personal experience
- confirms that Ubuntu Mate is good;
- makes me suspect that tools like webmin and similar are beyond of an unexperienced user comprehension.
Next to that, the problems which are discussed in this forum, are not generally solvable using mentioned tools, are they?
5 Likes
Not for the timid.
I've been adding modules to Webmin for a one-stop management and maintenance solution on my Ubuntu MATE server. Doing so makes Webmin less "overkill" than I'd originally posited.
It turns out a number of developers have created plug-ins for Webmin, so I've added a control module for Plex Media Server (which has a tendency toward flakiness) and now I just added a module for clamAV.
Whew. That last one was a test of patience and perseverance. I found the plug-in, but when I installed it I received a message stating certain dependencies were unmet. Thus, down the rabbit hole I went.
I had no idea perl had so many modules, libraries and dependencies. Not only that, but the perl program has a number of ways items can be added to it (I learned it's actually possible to have more than one instance of perl installed). So, with a combination of perl -MCPAN -e shell, cpan Name::Module and apt install I finally got a clean configuration screen in Webmin. The first thing Webmin does is to backup and remove the clamav scripts and then Webmin goes to work. Call me lazy, but configuring clamav is a bit easier using a GUI than doing everything at a command prompt (which I did, so there is nothing I need more to do at this point). Another learning experience.
2 Likes
I have been using Linux for around 16 years, and am much like the average Windows user. Almost never use the terminal, use GUI's, have never had need of something like webkit, and probably wouldn't understand it anyway. It would be overkill and probably have the same effect on new users as the terminal if they aren't power users.
Actually my wife is more like most Windows users, she breaks her computer operating system and asks me to fix it. My brother and his wife are like that too, they couldn't understand where all those addon browser toolbars came from. I installed Ubuntu Mate for them and they are happy they are not getting the toolbars anymore on their browsers.
4 Likes