[Lincs] Distro - Clarifying some points

[iain Baker]

Wait a minute... i hope this isn't someone trying to apply sense and
logic to the proceedings...

ok, im gonna see what i can do to add to/confirm your thought process
(these are only my opinions! please give us yours)

On 4/1/07, James Taylor <jt at imen.org.uk> wrote:
> Can we take a second to discuss the actual requirments as this is getting
> into a slag fest of favorite distos without it seems, actually applying any
> logic or real discussion on the point. Now, I've made some assumptions here,
> so if you disagree with any of the questions, with any of the answers or
> want to provide better ones then please go ahead without biting my head
> off...
>
> 1) Whats the genaral point?
> To get a bootable cd with as much software on to get people using Linux. The
> cd should let them use Linux whilst not destorying their windows
> installation, but allow them to install it from the CD [without a network
> connection].

sounds about right

> 2) What people?
> People who arn't nessicairly computer literate, people who maybe dont know
> what an OS is.

sounds about right... and also people who have heard of Linux and want
to give it a try but don't know how

> 3) Limitations because of the above?
> Well, you've got to make it bootable and theres technical tricks that let
> you mount compressed drives, but you're looking at playing with about 3 gig
> of virtual space on the 700 Mb Cd (I just made that up, cause I cant
> remember, and I'm not an expert on the compression mounting thing, nor know
> how much space has to be on the uncompressed partition)

cant correct you because i dont know either... but the theory is sound

> 4) Package Management.
> There MUST be a package manager, (I havn't seen anyone pushing slackware as
> a base system). This package manager allows the installation of basic
> pre-configured binarys and settings files AND source files for custom
> compilation. Custom packages should be easy to create to maintain the system
> integrety (for removal of any file/package)

Package manager is rather inconsequential whilst in Live CD mode, but
yes, it will be needed for post install - and should be easy to use!!

> 5) Package Updating
> The computers will pull from a customisable list of servers the contents of
> updated packages for installing, through the use of various tools both
> graphical and normal.

Agree so far

> 6) Default Package Repositorys
> Supposing that we rebadge [distoX]. Are we suggesting that the [distoX
> default servers] should be used, or are we going to have LincsDisto source
> servers (and :. a requirmenet for Lincs members to be responsible for
> package maintainance of this distribution (and generic support for people
> who will want to use both our sources and other compatible sources).
> (Obviously the latter is nearly inconcevable amount of work, but if the
> former, how does the Linc's default settings get applied to these installs?)

erm... yeah... about that... unless someone wants to become incredibly
devoted i think maintaining our own repositories is a job too far...
which may mean the branding may need to be limited to the desktop and
not the apps... that way LUGifying the Distro is a one shot action...
what do other people think?

> 7) Official managment of release
> Who is responsible for the official managment of releases? How will the
> documentation of releases work? Is there going to be a checking system, by
> that I mean very much committe level for which disputes or arguments can be
> put to? (This can be very simple through the use of something like UK Voting
> or similar)
>
> 8) Contributors
> Exactly how will contributing to the system work?  (The answer to this
> question again depends on various answers above).

to 7 and 8 i say... Yes! or Good point! or maybe even, Oops! at the
moment its a one man band with graphical input from anyone that wants
to post... but that has its faults...

> 9) Documentation
> Is there an associated documentation project / how is this going to work?
> (the answer of this question depends on various answers from above)

No... not yet, but this is another place that anyone can contribute...
referring to Chris Adams as the projects current lead.

> 10) Legal bumpf
> Are lincs covered legally for this release breaking computers. Supposing
> there is a mistake in the instructions to install software, which causes
> users to wipe their drives, under any situations, are Lincs
> members/distribution maintainers/documentors at risk from being sued. (Has
> legal advice (and by that I mean professional legal advice eg fsf or
> professional body) been sought on this topic)

Easy.. Not if we put a disclaimer on it (see any magazine cover disk)

> 11) Install to disk What options does the disto have for pernament
> installation?
> The disto should allow a range of installations, including just using a
> folder on the fat32 as well as full blwon reinstall. There should be options
> to install base system without any extra packages, as well as standard user
> install.

in my mind i had a similar install to disk option as Knoppix- installs
the live cd as is, then use package management afterwards to make any
adjustments... but i may be over simplifying the options

> 12) What license is the disto under?
> hahahah im not going to try to answer that one. I will get it wrong
> (Presumably more then one disto)

again... a good point well presented (although maybe more pie charts
are in order next time to jazz it up a bit?)