Re: Some thoughts for Debian.
Gith writes:
>
>
> I've been watching the debates about Cds, dividing up non-free, and etc..
> And I had a few thoughts I wanted to throw out at everyone.
>
> I think if debian is going to succeed, it's going to have to be reduced
> to a standard set of "core" applications that will make up the "offical"
> distribution of debian. Right now, the distribution is huge and it's
> getting bigger. In the process, it seems less is getting done in the way of
> providing comprehensive testing, marketing, etc.. of each new release.
> Many people are handling multiple packages and getting either burnt out
> or don't have enough time to adequatly test the packages they do maintain.
We have a core now. It's the "base" (i.e. required) set of packages installed
from the floppy set. You are right about the growing size of the distribution.
Perhaps an alternative method of upgrading the base into a usable system is
the order of the day.
> While I understand and applaud the basic concepts behind Debian, it's
> success will depend on what the commercial community does with it.
> Therefor, I think the following needs to be done to help Debian get
> going in the right direction.
>
>
> 1) I realize this process will start a religious debate over what
> program is the best, but, someone ( everyone? ) needs to decide
> on the core packages that will make up the offcial distribution.
> ie.... smail, sendmail, qmail, etc. which one will debian choose
> as the default for the distribution?
Maybe not, if an alternative method exist which allows one to either use a
plugin database for a core application, or custom create one, then it doesn't
have to be a religious debate 8-)
> in the case of user apps, one application could be choosen that
> works on terminals and one that works in X. ( where possible )
> ie.... users will need a mail reader.
> for terminals: elm
> for X: exmh
>
> this will create a standardized distribution that commercial vendors
> can easily support. it will reduce greatly the size of the main
> distribution and will allow devlopers to focus on just the applications
> that make up the offical distribution plus allow easier beta testing
> of the distribution as a whole.
>
> some things, like games, should definatly not be part of the
> offcial distribution. while i dearly love xtetris, you can't consider
> it a necessity.
>
>
> 2) Everything else could be moved over to contrib.
not necessary!
>
> 3) revamp the web pages. its the first place a user might check for info
maybe, I don't use the web very much and would not find this useful.
>
> 4) open up the release dates a bit. last i heard, the push was for 3 month
I agree!
>
> 5) the quest for a debian logo has produced some really good work from
Documentation, that's a mixed bag. Some of it is great, some of it is
overwhelming, some of it is pi**-poor.
>
>
> just some thoughts....
Just my 2K worth 8-)
--
-= Sent by Debian 1.2 Linux =-
Thomas Kocourek KD4CIK
tomk@westgac3.dragon.com
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