This article: <a href="http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/News/OpenSUSE-hosts-meetings-on-common-app-installer/?kc=rss">http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/News/OpenSUSE-hosts-meetings-on-common-app-installer/</a><div><br></div>
<div>Discusses the idea of a common application installation framework across distributions. While many of them (apt-get, portage, rpm etc...) Have a lot of common functionality. I'm assuming that some (portage for example) are very distribution specific and provide the functionality that is required for that distribution to scratch the particular itch it is designed for.</div>
<div><br></div><div>I imagine that while a common application installation method (and their for better heterogeneity across repositories and applications) can be a big potential bonus. Removing aspects like "Oh this application is provided as source and rpm... But I use Ubuntu and don't want to have to compile". But at the same time, compromises will have to be made that I'm sure many people will fight hard over and with any compromise, some aspects will not be favourable to all people.</div>
<div><br></div><div>The age old argument of "People will not adopt Linux as easily/quickly/successfully until there is a common framework etc..." is valid. This is a result of the fact that the biggest best aspect of Linux and OSS is also its Achilles heal. That of choice, freedom and the ability for anyone to take any part of it and do it differently to fit their requirement (be it technical, social or philosophical reasons to want to do things differently). </div>