[Gnu-darwin-distribution] (no subject)

[proclus <pr...@in...>]

------ Forwarded message ------
    From: pr...@in...
 Subject: Re: The Darwin Collection and OpenPackages
    Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2002 19:13:46 -0500 (EST)
      To: Rich Morin <rd...@cf...>
      Cc: Chris Coleman <cco...@or...>, Jordan Hubbard
<jk...@Fr...>,     ed...@da..., op...@op...,   
 Chevell <ch...@ch...>, fin...@bt..., rr...@ma..., 
   John Martellaro <mar...@ap...>,     Chris Turkel
<zi...@ad...>, po...@fr..., rm...@gn...,    
re...@co..., Rob Braun <bb...@sy...>
Reply-To: proclus realm <pr...@in...>

As part of the GNU-Darwin/TDC initiative, we now have fully functional
FreeBSD-style pkg_install binaries for Darwin, so that with respect to
the ports and packages, Darwin is a new FreeBSD.  This functionality was
easily portable to x86-Darwin, and was in fact largely developed on that
platform.  In addition, we have preliminary working FreeBSD-style
pkg_install binaries for GNU/Linux, OpenBSD, and Tru64 Alpha operating
systems, with more on the way.  

Having come so far, I can now look at the OpenPackages (OP) code with
some authority and say that it is better to solve the remaining
compatibility/portability issues with the FreeBSD system instead of OP
or other BSD pkg variants.  I am now convinced of the feasibility of
such an undertaking, in contrast to OP, which is languishing with many 
problems, such as turf wars, indifference, uncivil comments, and a
prejudice against GNU software.

The first purpose of the TDC and GNU-Darwin projects is to bring free
software to Darwin users, and that purpose is best served by the
FreeBSD ports system, which has thousands more packages than any other
similar project.  In keeping with this conclusion, I have offered my
services as a FreeBSD ports GNOME maintainer, but I have not yet heard
anything back from them.

We should not be distracted from our purpose by peripheral efforts to
re-invent the wheel or to nicely bring the BSD's back together. 
Moreover, critical improvements such as true fake-install, and secure
transfer, etc, can be implemented with currently available standard
tools as easily with this system as any other, as needed.  Such
improvements will be beneficial to more people, if they are implemented
 for the FreeBSD system (majority wins). I'm now committed to bringing
the default (FreeBSD) GNU-Darwin package manager to every platform
where I require a BSD-style package system, so that hopefully it will
become the cross-platform BSD-style package manager of choice.  It is
hoped that others will join this effort in time, so that free software
can be further disseminated as ubiquitous critical infrastructure which 
cannot be removed by predatory powers.

Sincerely,
Michael L. Love
MacCHESS
Cornell University
http://www.gnu-darwin.org/

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