Re: RPM

[Joey Hess <joey@kite.ml.org>]

Jim Pick:
> Randolph Chung has released a alpha-test version of a utility that
> will convert .deb files to .rpm files.
> 
> http://132.236.56.9/pages/rc42/program/martian.html
> 
> And Debian's alien package can already install .rpm files.

Randolph is a close friend of mine (I'm the maintainer of the alien program),
and we're working together on this, and in a week or so, alien will merge in 
martian's functionality and be able to convert in both directions.

> Plus, I think it would be a boost to the Debian project -- since we're 
> much better equipped to handle volunteer package maintainers.  My impression
> of the people who develop "contrib" packages for Red Hat is that they
> are treated as "second class citizens" by that particular project (maybe
> that sounds too nasty).  The RPM's developed by Red Hat Software themselves
> obviously get precedence over those developed outside the company.  These
> "contrib" developers might like working with us better, even if their
> primary target is the Red Hat system.

That's why I switched to debian and became a debian developer. I was
previously working on contrib rpm's, and it was exactly as you say.

-- 
See shy Jo.