Bug#112090: PROPOSAL]: support reduced footprint debs at build time

[David Kimdon <dwhedon@gordian.com>]

Wed, Sep 12, 2001 at 09:30:15PM -0400 wrote:
> David Kimdon wrote:
> > Sorry, no. Take for example pump-udeb.  It has a maintainer, all is
> > distributed, the only difference is where it gets built.
> > 
> > The parts of debian-installer that have no life outside of
> > debian-installer may just live as source packages, and not be built,
> > much like pcmcia-source.
> > 
> > The only difference is where it gets built.
> 
> So why does it matter where it gets built?

Okay, the other difference is where it is stored.   This is all part
of a plan to make Debian more customizable without bloating the
archive.  Debian _is_ customizable, I know, I'm just trying to make it
easier.

If you have a chance, take a look at some notes at
http://people.debian.org/~dwhedon
Where I try to explain the whole picture, this is one part.

b-f and d-i fit nicely into this structure because they have some of
the same requirements of embedded systems.

I want to be able to create a reduced footprint version of package X,
and not be forced to create a source fork.  I think it would be good
for Debian to allow for this because it will increase its user base.
The change isn't very big (minor change to policy that says under
special circumstances source packages can generate non policy
compliant .debs)

-David