Grim
Group: Members
Posts: 284
Joined: Mar. 2004 |
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Posted: April 16 2004,10:33 |
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I think Damn Small has gotten to the point where users are so impressed with it's functionality that they are no longer merely content with a liveCD they can carry anywhere. Users want the bloat-free functionality that Damn Small provides, installed to hard drive, on their machines.
I propose a working Damn Small apt repository set up for hdinstall users. Apt currently is hamstrung by the lack thereof. A few of the benefits from implementing the repository I purpose are the following:
*reduce the pressure on developers to rush the release of a new iso for minor bugfixes
*minimize bandwidth usage
*more thorougly test new packages
*seamlessly upgrade the distro
Minor bugfixes can be placed in the repository quickly to make the hdinstall userbase happy. This removes niggling distractions and allows the developers to focus on what's important (the next release) instead of rushing a new iso for minor bugfixes.
Implementing a repository will allow hdinstall users to install only what they need. Dillo, packaged in .deb form, is right around 220K. If Damn Small had a repository, a hundred hdinstall users upgrading Dillo would only use a little over 2MB of bandwidth, as opposed to the 5Gigs they're using now. I'm guessing mirrors would be more likely to contribute if they weren't going to be getting hammered so hard. A repository would be a step in that direction. Also, the Damn Small repository wouldn't have to add every Debian package, just those that are Damn Small-specific. There are already plenty of other Debian repositories and mirroring those would be a duplication of effort.
Another Debian feature is the testing repositories. It's generally understood that there isn't any support for testing so users implement it's use at their own risk. The benefits are twofold. For one, a testing branch allows developers to space out releases by providing the "bleeding edge" packages for impatient users and two, developers get bug feedback before deciding to roll new packages into the next release.
Finally, implementing a Damn Small repository would allow for seamless distro upgrades. Apt can be pinned to upgrade "Damn Small"-specific packages from the Damn Small repository. This would prevent users from breaking their installation by installing apps from other repositories that conflict with DSL's setup, most notibly the X servers. This would also address prior points made about reducing bandwidth usage by preventing users from downloading the whole distro all over again and only update those new packages that they need.
Taking in the big picture, I think an apt repository is the next logical step for Damn Small.
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