DebForMeeGo

(→Why switch to rpm: Licensing wasn't an issue.)
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This page collects all arguments for and against keeping the *.deb package format in MeeGo.
This page collects all arguments for and against keeping the *.deb package format in MeeGo.
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If you want to support this Idea you can [http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/keep_deb_for_meego/ vote at Brainstorm].
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If you want to voice your opinion on this Idea, you can [http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/keep_deb_for_meego/ vote at Brainstorm].
== Scope ==
== Scope ==
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the aim is at least to keep the *.deb package format in the MeeGo distributions aiming at Nokia Phones/ Handhelds.
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The aim is at least to keep the *.deb package format in the MeeGo distributions aiming at Nokia Phones/ Handhelds.
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Although using the .deb format throughout the MeeGo project is desireable, not arguments here apply to the same extend looking at the whole project.
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Although using the .deb format throughout the MeeGo project is desireable, not all arguments here apply to the same extent looking at the whole project.
== Why keep deb ==
== Why keep deb ==

Revision as of 04:09, 19 February 2010

This page collects all arguments for and against keeping the *.deb package format in MeeGo.

If you want to voice your opinion on this Idea, you can vote at Brainstorm.

Contents

Scope

The aim is at least to keep the *.deb package format in the MeeGo distributions aiming at Nokia Phones/ Handhelds. Although using the .deb format throughout the MeeGo project is desireable, not all arguments here apply to the same extent looking at the whole project.

Why keep deb

  • No porting for Maemo packages needed
  • Maemo has the bigger community [CITATION NEEDED]
  • allows syncing from Debian/ Ubuntu
    • Moblin promotes pushing back to upstream - Debian/Ubuntu rarely do! There is no need to be "synced" when you work with upstream. This "pro" deb point is actually a minus!
  • not to throw away experience gained with maemo which is reflected in the packaging
    • These changes should have been pushed back upstream. Why is Maemo the only benefactor? The larger community should benefit from Maemo experience and then the package format wouldn't matter.
  • tools for verifying (e.g. lintian) available

Why switch to rpm

  • No porting for Moblin packages needed
  • RPM is LSB-compilant.
    • So is deb.
  • Moblin build infrastructure has more capabilities already in place, such as imaging.
  • rpmlint can be used to check for a package quality (like lintian)

Alternative Solution

  • Keep a Debian base system, and provide third-party applications in an LSB package formet (which is RPM inside). LSB-compliant RPM should install flawlessly, and that way the frontier between system packages (DEB) and third-party applications (RPM) is well defined.
  • Add the imaging feature to the Deb package.
Retrieved from "http://wiki.maemo.org/DebForMeeGo"