Posted by: Anonymous Coward
on February 28, 2004 06:22 AM
This matches something I have long argued: the essence of a distribution isn't a collection of software, but rather a set of policies that determine how whatever software you bring in must fit. Such policies are most easily enforced in the package construction process, but policies may be important but (nevertheless) not fit there.
Of course it's impossible to invent policies without reference to the software that may end up packaged. Rather, every new bit of software may demand clarification or revision of various policies, with the churn rate gradually declining as experience is gained. Still, the rate of change can never reach zero.
A mature set of policies arrived at by a sound conflict resolution method applied to a large number of software packages is an incredibly valuable asset. Such a policy suite, if it could be parameterized according to varying needs, would allow each user to construct a local distro that would nonetheless remain compatible with every other using the same policies.
That actually seems to be the aim of Debian, and explains why Debian is the basis for so many specialized distributions.
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A Distribution Is Really a Policy
Posted by: Anonymous Coward on February 28, 2004 06:22 AMOf course it's impossible to invent policies without reference to the software that may end up packaged. Rather, every new bit of software may demand clarification or revision of various policies, with the churn rate gradually declining as experience is gained. Still, the rate of change can never reach zero.
A mature set of policies arrived at by a sound conflict resolution method applied to a large number of software packages is an incredibly valuable asset. Such a policy suite, if it could be parameterized according to varying needs, would allow each user to construct a local distro that would nonetheless remain compatible with every other using the same policies.
That actually seems to be the aim of Debian, and explains why Debian is the basis for so many specialized distributions.
ncm
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