[Mentalunix-developers] distro

[Clinton E. <men...@cr...>]

I have been using Debian(2.2) for the past month, and it is an 
amazing distro. But, the install is horrible(everything up to getting 
thrown into dselect at 2am is fine). apt/dpkg is IMHO the best 
package manager currently. So, I have a proposal:

Write a new installer like planned, and base the distro completely 
from the ground up(pacakge wise), and use it.

Basically, write an installer based on apt/dpkg, and then create a 
system of packages(but letting users use the 
Debian/helixcode/Corel/LibraNet archives if they want too). Later, 
we can write mpkg, and have it support installation of debs, rpms, 
tgzs(slackware), and sli(stampede) packages; as well as the 
importation of their package databases. Basically, make mpkg a 
unifying package manager, with its own format on the side. Using 
the debian utilities(update-menus, update-alternatives, etc) can 
really cut down on the development time too. So, in essence, use 
the great parts of debian, and then write a new installer, and create 
the rest of the distro from scratch. This brings me to another point:

I suck badly at programming

This is a true fact. So, I have a way to fix this:

I don't code

I can "manage" the project, and write specs while I improve my 
coding skills to help get the distro off the ground. I can assemble 
the list of software the distro will need, and package it. And, I can 
maintain the website. How does everyone feel about this? I am in 
the process of (attempting to) become a better programmer. But, 
since the american school system(and it lack of adequate 
teachers) has screwed me, I have to teach myself(there is no CS 
program in my school system next year due to low enrollment...it 
will be sad to see it go). 
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