Hi, I'd like to voice my opinion on what I'd like to see in an open software environment for packages.
1) That all new software requests be put to a vote. Having a request page that users request software to be compiled into a usable package just stay on the list year after year because all the contributors aren't interested shouldn't be. It should be systematic. Me, I'm an engineer, and I design mechanical things on my CAD software, Pro-Engineer. I'm not a software engineer nor a programmer. When I request a package, it's either because, I've searched (google'd) the internet and cannot find a pre-built package, or I've spent many unsuccessful hours trying to compile it myself. 2) I enjoy having the latest version of Solaris on my computer. I'd also like that the packages I download be compiled with the latest version. If I have Solaris 8 installed, why should I care if I have the latest packages built. If that were my case, I'd probably select the most stable version. If I have Solaris 10, I'd like the packages compiled with that release. 3) The deployment of packages, IMO, should be included into the "Update Manager". You would just simply add a couple of new tabs, one being new software packages available and another being software packages for update. One might even, go a bit further and add different tabs for different distributions of packages (Blastwave, Sunfreeware, etc), how that gets worked out on the libraries is another discussion. I would also think, that if the Update Manager is capable of packages, the the text utilities such as PCA can also be updated to include package updates My pitch for new software below: I run a small business, all my computers run Solaris. I take pride that I don't have a need for other operating systems. StarOffice was a big help. Any business productivity software is great. Accounting software (gnucash) would be super. NVU for updating my website, and Kicad for my occasional need to design PC Boards. Non of these packages are currently available as a Solaris binary (with the exception of a very old version of gnucash, on Sparc, which I am currently using). Since I'm not a system administrator (as a profession), using a non-gui toll for website design is not an option for me, I have to use the old Mozilla Compose. When Sun stops supporting that in future releases of Solaris, I'll probably have to pull out my old Solaris disks to reinstall it when it gets removed, the same as ShowMeTV and SunVideoPlus (I know, Sparc, but I have both Sparc and X64). Paul
