From: Kevin Brown <blargity@...>
Date: 2005-10-03T01:54:20+09:00
Subject: Re: why can't Ruby load .gem files directly?

On Sunday 02 October 2005 10:45, Devin Mullins wrote:
> Kevin Brown wrote:
> >but this is very contrary to the fact that once
> >you download the .deb package, you HAVE the software and that's IT.
>
> Ah. Well, err, to qualify my previous post, couldn't the .deb just
> include the .gem(s) inside, and then call `gem install thegem(s)`?

That was my first thought too.  No, because if you distribute the debians as 
part of a distro, you're requiring them to have an internet connection to get 
them, and in fact there is no way at that point to include said software as 
part of a distro that you can install without an internet connection.

Unless they set up a gems repository, and have it ask on the CD, but that gets 
really nasty when you start realizing that this all works contrary to the way 
apt-get has worked in the past.

Also, my mom (who just unplugged her network cable) wants to know what this 
funky error about WGET FAILED FOR GEM INSTALL FROM DEB PACKAGE means.  (I'm 
pointing out that it doesn't allow users the precious luxury of ignorance, 
which will be important if Linux ever wants to world dominate.)