>> I think some of the ideas behind portage are good, e.g. the ability to >> handle patches and slim down software via USE flags. > > this is only necessary if your purpose is to prune overgrown > packages. i hope will will solve this problem by not having > overgrown pacakges.
I see a couple of other applications for use flags besides pruning overgrown packages -- such as should we install source and documentation (yes by default on large systems, no on small embedded systems). Should we strip binaries or compile things for debugging? Install examples? I do not see much call for more than that, but I see those as useful. Another potential use flag or architecture keyword covers if the package can be built, or should build, using 64 bit mode. EBo --
