On 5/31/07, Darren J Moffat <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Before we go too far down the track of creating a "so called" reference
binary distribution of OpenSolaris I think we need to first clearly for
the whole community document exactly what problem we are trying to solve.
For something to be *the* reference distribution for OpenSolaris is
quite a significant status. Exactly why do we even need that status ?
What is so special about the reference distribution that it can't be one
of the existing distros ?
What special status should a reference distribution actually have ?
What is the implication to other distros if they do things differently
to other distros ?
My personal opinion is that I don't want to see a reference distro, at
this time I just don't see any value in it. What I do see today is
great competition and collaboration based on the distros we have. I
think there is scope for more distros (and if I had the time I would be
creating my own to experiement with some ideas), however I don't think
any single distro (not even the "original" Solaris from Sun) should be
elevated to "reference" at this time.
It depends on how you see a reference distribution fitting into
the overall scheme.
I see two possibilities (although in reality it's a continuum): a
reference distribution can either be something above other
distributions, or it can be something underneath it.
Are you worried about the former? (Your usage of the word
"elevated" implies a distribution that is above all others.)
I would like to see a reference distribution that is the latter:
a foundation distro, something fairly simple and neutral
(even bland), but one which can be used by others to build
their own distributions - with their own unique character - on top
of. It might be a proper distribution in its own right (but would
be essentially a freely redistributable SXCE, which wouldn't
be all that technically interesting), but may also supply a base
kit that could be used to build other distributions. Having such
a base makes it much easier - you just scrap the bits you don't
want and replace the bits you find interesting, without having to
worry about building and maintaining the whole infrastructure
necessary for a standalone distribution.
--
-Peter Tribble
http://www.petertribble.co.uk/ - http://ptribble.blogspot.com/
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