[GNC] Should the gnc-fq-* helper scripts be invoked as commands, or as an arg to perl?

[Jim DeLaHunt]

On 2021-06-13 09:53, John Ralls wrote:

>> On Jun 13, 2021, at 12:39 AM, Jim DeLaHunt <list+gnucash at jdlh.com> wrote:
>> ... [elided] ...
>> Am I correct in guessing that GnuCash 4.5 internally invokes these scripts (maybe just gnc-fq-helper) as an argument to a perl command?
>>
>> If so, should the wiki page https://wiki.gnucash.org/wiki/Online_Quotes use the same invocation?
> The answer depends on what the user wants or in this case for which perl they want to or did install F::Q.  People who have multiple perl installations shouldn't need to be told; people who need to be told then they shouldn't have multiple perl installations.

It seems to me also to depend on how the software was designed. We 
should guide users in the direction the software expects them to go.

Also, we should have some sympathy for our users who are neither system 
administrators nor accountants, but nevertheless use GnuCash because 
they want to get something useful done. Many forces in the computer 
ecosystem lobby users to install stuff, and users often comply, without 
understanding the implications. I think it would be kind of us as coders 
and writers to help protect and guide them.


> Arthur Ransome opened 'Swallows and Amazons` with the doggerel
>    "Better drowned than duffers.
>     If not duffers won't drown."
>
> An excellent guiding principle to system administration.


Well, it's an excellent hook for an adventure story. It's not such a 
kind way to treat non-specialist users. Imagine if cars or medicines or 
food were produced with that as a guiding principle.

Best regards,
       —Jim DeLaHunt