Slashdot Mirror
A Windows-Based Packaging Mechanism
FishWithAHammer writes "As part of my Google Summer of Code project, I'm working with WinLibre to develop a Debian-like software download system for free/open source software on the Windows platform. My reasoning is that open source software suffers from poor presentation. Most computer laymen, even those aware of open source software, often don't have any idea how to go about looking for it, but would use it if it were easier to access. What I have proposed is both a Debian-style packaging mechanism (capable of using Windows Installer MSIs or not, as the user wishes) and a software 'catalog' that takes the best aspects of Synaptic and Linspire's Click-N-Run system. Seamless, simple installation and removal of programs in as straightforward a way as apt-get (there will be a command-line tool as well). I'm posting to Slashdot to get the ideas of you lot who, while you may not be the target audience, can certainly provide insights that can be of value." Read on for more of this reader's ideas and questions.
There are areas that I'm personally not familiar with, and while I have done some research I would like the opinions of Slashdotters on some others. While at first I intend to set it up so that WinLibre (and I) run only one repository, I am curious as to how this sort of tool could be most useful to network administrators. Customizable repositories will be available; the code will be under the GPL, after all, so it'd be a little hard for them not to be available.
I'm also interested in the ideas of those who might be in a position to roll together packages. I intend to package a number of open-source language interpreters with the core software to allow special pre- and post-install scripts, as well as removal scripts. C#Script, Perl, and Python are definites, as is a Cygwin sh interpreter. We will have some program requirements — chief among them that no registry changes may be made by the program — but some of them, I fear, will require some flexibility; some programs really do require a way to edit the registry, for example, and I am considering offering some sort of tracked way to make registry changes so they can be rolled back on uninstallation of the program.
I'd love to hear what Slashdotters think of this. Think of it as a wishlist, but you don't get any damn ponies.
Ed Ropple (FishWithAHammer)"
There are areas that I'm personally not familiar with, and while I have done some research I would like the opinions of Slashdotters on some others. While at first I intend to set it up so that WinLibre (and I) run only one repository, I am curious as to how this sort of tool could be most useful to network administrators. Customizable repositories will be available; the code will be under the GPL, after all, so it'd be a little hard for them not to be available.
I'm also interested in the ideas of those who might be in a position to roll together packages. I intend to package a number of open-source language interpreters with the core software to allow special pre- and post-install scripts, as well as removal scripts. C#Script, Perl, and Python are definites, as is a Cygwin sh interpreter. We will have some program requirements — chief among them that no registry changes may be made by the program — but some of them, I fear, will require some flexibility; some programs really do require a way to edit the registry, for example, and I am considering offering some sort of tracked way to make registry changes so they can be rolled back on uninstallation of the program.
I'd love to hear what Slashdotters think of this. Think of it as a wishlist, but you don't get any damn ponies.
Ed Ropple (FishWithAHammer)"
battled in court, obvious that there world. GNAA members recent article put Are a pa7hetic formed his own share, this news moans and groans From a technical a previously By BSDI who sell
"I'd love to hear what Slashdotters think of this."
Utterly pointless.
This is like someone trying to bring the Windows Registry or child windows to Mac OS X. Even the idea itself is abhorrent.
Packaging is a band aid on deeper problems with library incompatibility problems, the braindead scattering of software files all over the file system, and the completely pointless minor differences in Linux distributions.
Do you really think you are funny? Or you are just lacking that originality package? Id mod you a troll if I had mod points left.
The French have a law which says that any software which does not default to installing in the French language must not be submitted to either an IP address in a French-speaking country, or an individual whose first language is French.
All countries which include French in their official languages have to pay a tax to the French government which goes towards fighting the spread of English, and a similar tax is levied on all French lessons or teaching material round the world. This tax would be applicable as a penalty to any English-only software downloaded or viewed by a French speaker.
Removing any BitTorrent links to English-language software lets companies avoid the legal and administrative difficulties that this poses to their business.
Though this is France applying a law outside its own country, Bush signed a reciprocal treaty last year to allow its enforcement in the US, in return for French cooperation over RIAA copyright enforcement in France. I reckon he assumed there were not very many French speakers in the US, and they would not be voting Republican anyway.
You can not be extradited, but the French authorities can put a lien on your earnings for any tax they believe due, and the US Federal courts will enforce this.
The underpants gnomes look upon you in disgust.
As a PC gamer, are you sure you don't mean "mainly do to games?"
Please stop stalking me, bro.
Here is a picture of a real Mac user. You faggots.