Re: GNUstep repository (was LinuxSTEP + Integration of apps)

[Mayuresh Kathe]

On Sat, 4 Jan 2003, Dennis Leeuw wrote:

> The problem of LinuxSTEP vs SimplyGNUstep is the different approach.

Agreed, but both approaches have two major components in common, i.e. The
Linux Kernel and the GNUStep environment :)
What would be required is channelizing energies towards a single distro...


> If the both projects could get on one line for a distribution I think a
> great project could emerge. Beining someone who has tried this before
> with LastStep... (a dead project by the way), I have some ideas:

Whoa, not being derisive, but I never heard about that one...


> - Create a small and simple distribution meaning with only the bare
> essentials:

With the LFS thats simple now-a-days...


>       - libc (in /lib)

Could go for uClibc, smaller, faster, sturdier...
why /lib?
The OpenStep specs laid out files differently from standard Unix.
So why shouldn't a distro targeted towards the same use a similar FSH?


> - The initial problem probably lies in the packaging and a good boot
> process (although I am in the middle of rewriting all rc.d and init.d
> scripts and creating a single tree of basic system configuration, thus I
> know that it is doable, a package manager is an entirely different
> subject. I have started over and over again on this subject. Package
> management on Un*x is a hell... IMHO.)

One of the problems I have understood with standard Unix based distro
deliverables is that there are standards (too many of them ;) to choose
from...
If we know what we are delivering then package management becomes very
easy...
Infact, you could check out Crux (http://www.crux.nu/), they use simple
.tgz based packages.


> I think with this minimalistic setup one should be able to create a
> single CD with a life system incl. the sources (almost as simple as
> SimplyGNUstep).

Why a live system? Why not a installable?
Dunno, but I guess with todays 700Mb CDs, it would be possible to deliver
both a live system as well as installables...

> An additional CD could hold the Developer apps (incl. Sources) and a
> third CD could be used to hold Postgresql with GDL and WebObjects.

Hmnn, how about a single CD containing all?


> I think a team of about five to ten people could pull this off. To
> create this solution one needs a server that holds all the data, and
> which could also serve as the repository for the GNUstep apps. A single
> maintainer would be able to package from the different sources the
> sources of the apps and provide them to the GNUstep community.

Server would probably be required for creating a central repository, that
which could hold the source for *all* GNUStep related stuff (base system,
library extensions, apps, misc stuff) in one place and people could use a
ports/CVS/rsync/<anyother_sync_app> to update their sources/binaries by
running a simple command or clicking a button in a GUI app...


> What is needed is a single server to start with. Enough bandwidth for
> the ISO downloads and some spare time and dedication.

I guess, mirrors could take care of most of the bandwidth related probs...


> So the first question that pops up is where do we get the money to
> install a server with enough bandwidth.

Money is always the critical problem with OSS :)
Infact, thats also the secondary reason for the existence of OSS :)


> And the second question is, are there enough people willing to invest
> time to pull this off.

There are, I bet every member on this list would want to put in a bit of
their time to help in what ever way possible...


> Might be a question for FOSDEM...

Bah...  :)

~Mayuresh