From: Massimiliano Mirra - bard <mmirra@...>
Date: 2004-08-18T06:25:57+09:00
Subject: Re: gem remote installation does not work

Mauricio Fern叩ndez <batsman.geo@yahoo.com> writes:

> You can create packages/ports on your own, and release them without
> asking for any sort of approval/permission, either by distributing the
> rps files directly or by creating your own repository for rpa-base.
[...]
> However, I think there is some merit in having a controlled repository
> managed carefully: you can compare it to Debian's official repository
> vs. other non-official ones.

This is very important.  The main reasons I like rpa are that it does
all the housekeeping of package maintenance on my behalf and that it
stays out of the way of the language and the interpreter (i.e. no
special `require' forms to bring in modules).

Ok, I also like automatic dependency resolution, file conflict
detection, a certain flexibility in deciding where-goes-what, and
transactions, but forgime me, I'm used to Debian and I've come to take
those things for granted. :-)

Anyway, what you say above is important on a wider scale.  QA and
policy will help acceptance of Ruby in certain (e.g. corporate)
contexts big time and goes beyond providing a means to install a piece
of software quickly.  Ultimately it is not different from the purpose
of having a `standard distribution': ensuring a given set of packages
is consistent and all parts interact nicely; by separating this task
from that of maintining the basic interpreter parts I think both sides
will benefit greatly.

I've just a minor wishlist item for you.  I've not tried building an
rpa package (yet), so I don't know how the procedure goes, but I hope
you've followed or will follow the adage `Everything should be made as
simple as possible, but not simpler'.  When I started learning
building Debian packages, I was discouraged with the complexity
(policy, helpers, and whatnot) when compared with e.g. rpms.  As I
went on, I was more and more grateful for it because it forced me to
think hard and good about something that ultimately would happen on
somebody else's computer.  Which is a Good Thing.

Massimiliano