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Getting Software Added to Unix Distributions?

Posted by Cliff on from the lobbying-for-inclusion dept.

suso asks: "I've been working on a set of programs called num-utils that I would eventually like to be considered for inclusion in some of the many free Un*x distributions (on the install CDs, etc). So my question is, how does one put their applications on the track to be included in the main distribution of Red Hat, Debian, SuSE, *BSD, and so on? Is this just something that is up to the maintainers or are there submission forms of some kind?"

2 of 267 comments (clear)

  1. Debian by nvainio · · Score: 5, Informative
    If you want your program to be included in Debian, you may package it yourself. Debian New Maintainer's Guide is a good place to start at.

    Or, you could file an RFP (Request For Package). See instructions.

  2. How it worked for me .. by stevey · · Score: 5, Informative

    Once upon a time I wanted an MP3 streaming server, none of the ones I looked at did what I wanted. So I did the standard thing and designed my own.

    After releasing my first version to freshmeat I had about five subscribers to the project.

    These subscribers gave me patches, feedback, and encouragement.

    Doing a websearch for the project name I discovered by accident that the the package made it into Gentoo, and similarly Netbsd without any feedback or involvement from myself!

    The next step was my becoming a Debian Developer so that I could upload it there - and not worry about other people doing a bad job without me. (Not a real concern; I had wanted to join Debian for some time anyway).

    Now life is good - I've no idea if it's in RedHat because I've not touched it for years, but SuSE include it the *BSD's and Gentoo cover it, and Debian gets the latest versions all the time.

    Freshmeat lists 120+ subscribers to the project, and it's probably on the verge of becoming an official GNU package sometime soon.

    If you use it and like it buy something nice? </ObPlug>