However, the "build most things from source" solution is not without
issues itself. It it slower than binary packages (imagine installing
the first GNOME package this way -- please wait while we build the
world from source). It's largely incompatible with the world of
closed-source, binary-only software. Depending on the user, that
might be considered a feature, or a fatal flaw. It can also make
testing/SCM/support a real nightmare, as now every system can have a
slightly different configuration.
I'm also bothered by the general problem of reproduceability
with building from source. Installing each package affects
the environment in which subsequent packages get built in.
The way configure tends to adapt to the environment it
finds itself in, GNOME could well be built differently
(and exhibit different bugs) on two machines of the same
distro, depending on the order.
Besides this, I find it quite valuable to be able to download
and install something in a short enough timeframe that I havn't
already forgotten what I intended to do with it. :-)
Nigel
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