I'm not talking about selectively disabling cups. My proposal is >>> to no longer enable the cups useflag in the base profile. I don't >>> think cups should be part of the base profile, and as a result >>> cascading to the desktop profile. And a lot of people seem to >>> agree. Users can always enable that functionality when they >>> need it. It is not something that is necessary for running a >>> desktop system. >>> >>> Cheers, >>> >> I agree that CUPS is not really necessary in the desktop profile, and >> especially in the base profile. Many systems run desktop >> environments without needing printing support. As we advance further >> toward a paperless computing experience, the need for printing >> support becomes even less. And, as it is incredibly simple to add >> print capabilities by placing the cups USE flag in /etc/make.conf, >> that choice should be left to the user. >> >> Regards, >> Nathan Zachary > > One could argue the opposite as well. Adding -cups to make.conf is > just as easy. > > I'm one of those lowly users. > > Dale > > :-) :-) > I think that the point is that it is better to have it disabled by default so that new users do not run into these circular dependencies upon their first installation. They can then add cups to their make.conf and emerge -avuDN world to get full printing support.
Just as a sidebar, there is not a "lowly user." Your input is greatly important in all matters regarding Gentoo as you are a member of the userbase. It's your operating system too! :) Regards, Nathan Zachary
