On Jul 18, 2015 2:56 PM, "Bruce Dubbs" <[email protected]> wrote: > > Tim Tassonis wrote: >> >> Hi all >> >> As I'm steadily completing my lfs/blfs based distribution, I've come >> across a few packages that are neither in lfs/blfs, but i my opinion >> generally useful. >> >> My question is: Is there any demand for more packages in blfs, or is the >> current set more or less what's indended? >> >> The packages I have built on top and in spirit of blfs and would view as >> possible additions are: >> >> - volumeicon: A nice systray volume control for also, using alsamixer as >> mixer and else only depending on gtk. Actively maintained. >> - openvpn: SSL VPN client/server solution based on openssl and lzo >> - rdesktop: rdp client to connect to windows desktops >> >> I'd be willing to provide the descriptions in BLFS style, if there is a >> demand for that. > > > The problem with adding new packages is that they have to be maintained and updated as they change. We tend to add more packages than we remove. > > Adding less common packages tends to follow a path of diminishing returns. The effort to maintain them stays constant, but fewer users want them. > > This cycle we've added KF5 and LXQt. Eventually KDE4 and LXDE will go away, but for now we have a lot of new packages in this cycle. > > Additionally, I have NO windows system to test rdesktop and I do not see a need for a VPN client unless you are in some sort of environment with a large number of systems. I do have experience with VPNs implemented in Cisco managed routers, but don't see a need for VPNs for most of our users. If there is something here that I am missing, please educate me. > > One other point. By the time a user needs these packages, the experience in building LFS and BLFS should allow most users to build arbitrary packages not in either book. > > I think that VPN could be useful, but I agree that it depends on what kind of user we are aiming for. And I agree with your stance, the more packages we add, the more maintaining is required. For example, if my dad were to use an LFS system for work, he would have to have a VPN client... but, on the other hand, it should be easy enough that users can build it themselves. Or better yet, they can ask somebody about it. I have several Windows systems that I could test rdesktop on.
I know of at least one use case for this. Network Administrators could definitely use these packages, or a user could even use them to use their Linux system or other system remotely. I know that SSH exists for this, but of course there is some work that may need to be done graphically. I know about VNC, but users of systems in "approved" environments may benefit from this.
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