DebForMeeGo
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.