Re: new tags for RPM

[Lloyd <BringBack illaTheHun org>]

> > There are some tags lacking from the current
> > RPM implementations that would be interesting
> > to have, especially for use by tools such as
> > APT:
> > RPMTAG_ESSENTIAL - a boolean flag telling whether this
> > package is essential for the system to be bootable/usable
[]
> > RPMTAG_IMPORTANCE - tells how important the package is,
> > in the same fashion as dpkg's Priority tag.
[]
> > RPMTAG_SUGGESTEDNAMES - a list of package names that are
> > considered usefull to have whenever you have this package
> > installed. Like xmms-skins when you have xmms installed or
> > something like that.

All of which generated some objections focused largely on semantics
(specifically, the lack of them). Isn't this really an issue of
demarcation? RPM is for _managing_ packages, not for _choosing_ them. If
we want to make choices automatically according to some guidelines,
there are categories used in e.g. 'comps' for the purpose. I don't
especially like them - they're too reminiscent of the 'Typical' option
that installs the kitchen sink along with every Microsoft product - so I
built a cut-down 'comps' file of my own. But regardless of whether one
accepts them or not, RPM should only be invoked after those choices have
been made IMHO. Even now, RPM is no heroin-chic waif - let's not turn it
into an 800lb gorilla.

My .02

Lloyd

email replies welcome: lloydb !! computerwire ^^ co ^^ uk