Re: Everyone uses RPM
Change that to almost everyone. Debian still uses the Debian Package Manager (dpkg). Debian does support RPM, but their packages and installations use the debian packages. And not just Debian. Debian-based distributions (e.g. Storm Linux and Corel) use the *.deb file format too. In terms of sheer number of software packages, the ~4500 packages of Debian's soon-to-be-released "potato" version dwarfs the size of Red Hat. In some ways (competition of features) I see the *.rpm and *.deb contest as a benefit, but for 3rd party software developers, the non-standard package format is a nightmare. We really need the LSB to evolve into something rock solid and a common package format would be a nice bonus for 3rd party commercial developers. Unfortunately, there's a couple of ideologies behind the package formats. IMHO (from a Debian viewpoint) Red Hat's package format is a bit looser while Debian -- at least for official developers -- maintains a militant attitude that package maintainers can and cannot do certain things. I don't see any merging of package formats any time soon on the horizon. -- Regards,| Debian GNU/ __ o http://www.debian.org . |/ / _ _ _ _ _ __ __ Randy | / /__ / / / \// //_// \ \/ / ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) | // /_/ /_/\/ /___/ /_/\_\ http://www.golgotha.net | because lockups should only be for convicts. ** To unsubscribe from this list, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the following text in the *body* (*not* the subject line) of the letter: unsubscribe gnhlug **
Re: Everyone uses RPM
On Sun, 26 Mar 2000, Randy Edwards wrote: In terms of sheer number of software packages, the ~4500 packages of Debian's soon-to-be-released "potato" version dwarfs the size of Red Hat. I believe Red Hat has stated that they want to keep their base distribution small enough to fit on a single CD. That places an upper limit on the number of packages they can include in it. If you want more, their "Deluxe" and "Power Tools" distributions includes a few more CDs full of packages. In some ways (competition of features) I see the *.rpm and *.deb contest as a benefit, but for 3rd party software developers, the non-standard package format is a nightmare. In typical hackerish fashion, that problem is being solved by programs such as "alien" (that's the example I know, others exist) which allow you to either convert between package formats and/or build packages in multiple formats from a single spec file. We really need the LSB to evolve into something rock solid and a common package format would be a nice bonus for 3rd party commercial developers. Yes, but at the same, it runs contrary to the freedom of choice that embodies much of the Linux community. One way or the other, some group is going to be unhappy. But I generally agree that picking a standard would be a good idea. Nobody can force you to use it. Unfortunately, there's a couple of ideologies behind the package formats. IMHO (from a Debian viewpoint) Red Hat's package format is a bit looser while Debian -- at least for official developers -- maintains a militant attitude that package maintainers can and cannot do certain things. I don't see any merging of package formats any time soon on the horizon. I think this might be political more then technical. In other words, Red Hat chooses to encourage a more relaxed attitude around RPMs, while Debian tries to make sure things are Being Done Right. This mirrors the over-all attitude of the Red Hat and Debian groups, I think. -- Ben Scott [EMAIL PROTECTED] | Why do we call them apartments if they are together? | | Why do we call them buildings if they are already built? | ** To unsubscribe from this list, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the following text in the *body* (*not* the subject line) of the letter: unsubscribe gnhlug **
Re: Everyone uses RPM
And, as one who's been following the LSB on lsb-discuss, it looks like the LSB requirement will be to handle RPM formats, although the method is not specified (i.e. using rpm or alien to convert debs). jeff smith Benjamin Scott wrote: On Sun, 26 Mar 2000, Randy Edwards wrote: In terms of sheer number of software packages, the ~4500 packages of Debian's soon-to-be-released "potato" version dwarfs the size of Red Hat. I believe Red Hat has stated that they want to keep their base distribution small enough to fit on a single CD. That places an upper limit on the number of packages they can include in it. If you want more, their "Deluxe" and "Power Tools" distributions includes a few more CDs full of packages. In some ways (competition of features) I see the *.rpm and *.deb contest as a benefit, but for 3rd party software developers, the non-standard package format is a nightmare. In typical hackerish fashion, that problem is being solved by programs such as "alien" (that's the example I know, others exist) which allow you to either convert between package formats and/or build packages in multiple formats from a single spec file. We really need the LSB to evolve into something rock solid and a common package format would be a nice bonus for 3rd party commercial developers. Yes, but at the same, it runs contrary to the freedom of choice that embodies much of the Linux community. One way or the other, some group is going to be unhappy. But I generally agree that picking a standard would be a good idea. Nobody can force you to use it. Unfortunately, there's a couple of ideologies behind the package formats. IMHO (from a Debian viewpoint) Red Hat's package format is a bit looser while Debian -- at least for official developers -- maintains a militant attitude that package maintainers can and cannot do certain things. I don't see any merging of package formats any time soon on the horizon. I think this might be political more then technical. In other words, Red Hat chooses to encourage a more relaxed attitude around RPMs, while Debian tries to make sure things are Being Done Right. This mirrors the over-all attitude of the Red Hat and Debian groups, I think. -- Ben Scott [EMAIL PROTECTED] | Why do we call them apartments if they are together? | | Why do we call them buildings if they are already built? | ** To unsubscribe from this list, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the following text in the *body* (*not* the subject line) of the letter: unsubscribe gnhlug ** ** To unsubscribe from this list, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the following text in the *body* (*not* the subject line) of the letter: unsubscribe gnhlug **
