(Cc's to private addresses removed. I don't know if this is relevant for -policy, please remove it in replies if it isn't.) John Goerzen <jgoerzen@complete.org>: > No, this is silly. When you install a package, it is for use. If you > don't intend to use it, why install it? Because I like to use mtools, have been using it for years, and suddenly it starts running a daemon without my knowing it, since I happened not to read that particular changelog among the thousands when upgrading from a previous version of Debian? Actually, I don't use mtools, but it was just reported on this list that it did, in fact, run such a daemon. The point is, even if I'm careful, I might accidentally install or upgrade a package that runs a daemon, and it would be extremely nice if Debian had tools for making sure I notice them. (I didn't know Gnome runs some name service daemon until recently. Did you?) That doesn't involve asking lots of questions in postinsts every time I run dpkg. Unless implemented badly, it involves one question per installation of a new daemon -- upgrades should notice the question has already been asked and re-use the answer. If we want to reduce this further, we can even implement a scheme where the answer can be set globally to "always install new daemons" or "never install new daemons". (E.g., every package that installs a daemon checks /etc/start_new_daemons for the answer. debconf probably does this better.) Since this _can_ be done without being too painful for any party, and it _is_ something many people would like to have, is there really a reason to write dozens and dozens of flame letters about it, telling people it's not at all useful for anyone, any purpose, any time, ever? -- Stupid little mailer under construction, sorry for any problems.
Attachment:
pgpf04PgiKAd2.pgp
Description: PGP signature