Sorry for not lurking in the backround but I feel the need to bring a small point to attention ...
After reading the current preliminary framework for the LSB , I happened to notice that the issue reguarding package standarization was brought forward by Stuart Anderson . The specification tentatively points toward the rpm format as a standard and this will probably work well . However the rpm system introduced the concept of a program registry ( on default Red Hat systems it is in /var/lib/rpm )to linux and while this is very useful it does not lend itself well when one is installing non-rpm packages . To settle on rpm style of program registry will benefit linux , expansion of that registry so that other package formats (ie tar.gz and .deb ) can declare themselves to this registry would go a long way to providing a basis for standardizing package installation . For example if source tar.gz package included and small description along with a list of dependencies and programs installed by the Makefile while rpm provided a method whereby this information could be included into the rpm registry , then a decent dependecy and installed package database could be built that truly reflected the state of a linux machine .At this point in time if I install a tar.gz source or binary package in my R.H. system , I have to manually adjust my program registry to reflect that the package is present . To install an arbitrary rpm on my Caldera system is an absolute nightmare . It can be worked around , but its painful .You may notice that this is a concept which M$ have used to gain a great deal of fuctionality between M$ and non-M$ software. (When they have allowed interaction to occur ). By applying the same basic principal to linux , ie , a standard program registry which can be manipulated by a variety of installation formats , a vendor /developer can select whichever package format suits their developement methods while implementing a standardized registry method . Its a topic that I feel is worth further investigation . My 2c worth . Cheers Mik Voase . (goes back to lurking in the backround...)
