[iPAQ] ["Bill Warner" <wwarner@direct-alliance.com>] Re: [Linux] distribution strategy

attached mail follows:

> As you mention, this is where the most work still needs to be
> done. Several different images, like you mention, would certainly be
> useful, but don't make things as configurable as they should be.
> Witness the current thread discussing whether interpreted languages
> are suitable on a handheld. Then you have the questions of which
> interpreted language, (perl, python, etc.), if any as well as which
> toolkits, (tk, gtk, qt, etc.). Much of the beauty of having Linux on a
> handheld is the flexibility it provides the user to make these
> choices. I think a good distribution system would empower users rather
> than force something upon them.

This is exactly why I was thinking about having differant images for
/usr
that way you could have the python gtk or perl qt or gnome or kde. This
really does need to be handled by a package system but that will take a
lot more planning and codeing to get working.
>
> Some sort of packaging system makes sense, and I can't think of a
> better collection of packages than Debian. Also, the embedded Debian
> project, (http://www.emdebian.org), has the goal to treat all of these
> issues, (I think a cross-installation environment for Debian would be
> fabulous!). They've started a project which is a first-cut at exactly
> that at:

I will probably jump on the emdebian list also. This seems like
something
that could be nice to have apt set up to download packages giving you a
size estimate. then download the packages to a tmp directory and make a
cramfs
image out of them then let you flash it to your iPaq. This would let
you create
your own set of tools that you want. The problem with this is that
there would
have to be substantial changes to apt. We would need a way to handle
stuff in
/usr and also in a /usr/local flash card if you want more added onto
your distribution. or a /usr/flash ?!? that could replace the current
/usr/local.
or maybe we should plan on not having a /usr/flash (currently
/usr/local) once
the power management code is in really good working order it might not
be as
important to have that any longer.

As I was saying though this is a big project that I would help what I
could but
is mostly too far over my head. I wouldn't mind at all if by the end of
it, it
no longer was over my head, but at this point I am still trying to learn
C and
only know basic sys admin type stuff with perl and bash. I am a huge
fan of
debian but am also a fan of right tool for the job. I do hope that
after evaluation
though debian is that tool. most likely would be nicer than
implementing out own
from scratch.

I guess I need to learn to make dpkg's. That way I can start on
repackaging stuff
for a handheld device.

So many projects so little time. :)

-- 
--
Bill Warner
Direct Alliance Corp.
Unix/Linux Admin.