Greetings, What do you think of the following proposal: I order to simplify for package authors/maintainers and to reduce duplication, distribute the source file packages in .tar.gz (or .tar.bz2) format. This avoids the need to provide both .tar.gz, .src.rpm and debian source files. Included in these tarballs add .spec and .dsc files together with the original .tar.gz package and .diff.gz files. Then everybody interested can build source/binary files for their own preferred distribution using the same source files!! Also the GNU packages could contain .deb and .spec files, as is already the case (.spec-files) for gnome packages. Advantages ========== ++ Enables convergence towards Linux Standard Base (LSB) ++ Simplifies a lot for package maintainers, distribution specific files, .spec, .dsc etc could be supplied by the different vendors. ++ Faster feedback to package authors for patches incorporated into the main distribution. ++ Reduces the risk for patch divergence. (A lot of distribution-spcific patches) + Useful for all .rpm-based systems, rpm -t? is already there. + Useful for all .deb-based systems, with minor changes in relevant tools. + Useful for .tar.gz-based systems, no changes necessary. + ... Drawbacks ========= - No easy way to see if .spec and .dsc files are included in the .tar.gz package (except using tar, but that requires a download) - Distribution profiling more difficult :-( - Package naming has to be agreed upon!! - ... Another issue is to merge the binary file formats .deb and .rpm :-( This mail is sent to the lists I'm subscribing to. I'm currently running Rawhide-19991117, Redhat 6.1, Debian 2.1, Suse 6.2 and Mandrake 6.1 on different computers and disks, and would really appreciate a common format at least for source packages. Most often I recompile the sources myself. Please feel free to forward this mail to other interested parties not reached by the list here. I would like to start the dicussion on this subject. No flame wars please! svante.signell@telia.com -- To unsubscribe send e-mail to suse-linux-e-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com Also check the FAQ at http://www.suse.com/Support/Doku/FAQ/