Debian package categories half way summary
OK, these are the conclusions that seem to have been reached so far:
* A new section, debian-data will be needed (could someone please summarise
what conclusions have been reached regarding debian-data?).
* Packages fall into one of four categories:
1) Programs
2) Data without associated programs (anarchist faq etc)
3) Data with associated programs (fortune, bible etc)
4) Data without associated progams but with relevance to debian/linux
(HOWTOs etc)
It seems there is agreement that packages in categories 1 and 4 go into the
main distro, whilst category 2 packages go into debian-data. The sticking
point now is category 3. It has boiled down to whether packages in that
category (data and binary 'readers' ie fortune-mod) should go into the main
distro or into debian-data.
Now to my reasons why fortune et al should not be banished to debian-data:
* The number of packages is small, and doesn't look like it's going to grow
at any significant rate (unlike anarchist faq et al which potentially could
grow a lot). The entire reason for this discussion was because of fears
concering the size of debian growing out of all proportion.
* The objective must surely be to provide the maximum amount of usefullness
from the main distro: banishing a longstanding favourite such as fortune
would not be doing anyone any favours.
* As always common sense should be used: of course the map data, even if it
has a seperate reader shouldn't go into the main distro. I hope that
anyone with a package which might cause problems would have the common
sense to follow the motto "If in doubt ask".
* I for one would not be happy if I had to buy an entire CD just to get
fortune, dict etc.
* Because the packages contain binaries they have to subject to the normal
bug-tracking and release procedures: ATM there is the possibility of
debian-data not following these procedures.
I could probably come up with more reasons, but I notice my keyboard is
wearing out from all this de-lurk posting :)
My suggestion is that we create a new sub-section within the main distro to
put category 2 packages in, but the moment it causes the main distro to
spill over onto an extra CD it is moved into a seperate section on the same
level as main, non-US et al.
Cheers
Dave
--
Dave Swegen | Debian 2.0 on Linux i386 2.2.3
<dave@recursive.prestel.co.uk> | PGP key available on request
<dsw@debian.org> | Linux: The Choice of a GNU Generation
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