Re: [9fans] Man pages for add-ons

[Patrick Kelly <kameo76890@gmail.com>]

On Mar 29, 2010, at 3:29 PM, Georg Lehner wrote:

> Patrick Kelly wrote:
>> [..] In my opinion, package managers are only a solution for  
>> systems that are
>> already a mess. I've said it before, I downright hate Windows, but  
>> it gets
>> by just fine without a package manager; Just install and uninstall
>> 'scripts'. Those scripts wouldn't even need to be necessary on Plan  
>> 9, or
>> any system that doesn't maliciously abuse a central configuration  
>> system. [..]
> As a MS-Windows end user one gets inevitably to know that  a  
> 'Windows Installer'
> is required to install new Software and that there are some rules  
> all well
> behaved "packages" abide, since an installed application is made  
> visible
> in the start menu and uninstallable via the control panel.  There is  
> more to
> Windows 'package managment' then 'scripts' - there are rules,  
> conventions.

Which tend to be ignored, after all the registry might be abused at a  
higher rate than some illegal drugs. At any rate, the installer does  
little more than extract the files, possibly add some registry keys,  
and create an uninstaller. Certain, although few, programs also add a  
line to %PATH%.

I've seem less sane management systems.

Security is still to be desired though, on the bright side,  
Singularity had some nice sides, and "Midori" could be promising if  
Balmer... never mind.

> It seems to me, that a few more scripts, conventions and rules for  
> system, contrib
> and third-party applications will ease setting up and administering  
> Plan9 systems.

A few scripts, should they be deemed necessary, might not be a bad  
idea. Only assuming they are actually deemed necessary. As of right  
now, I'm not aware of anything that complex, may be someone else is.

> I am very greatful to Federico G. Benavento for implementing contrib  
> and really
> looking forward for Anthony Sorace's experience with third-party  
> packages installed
> in /opt in Inferno.
>
> This thread also has given some very good examples and insight on  
> how the proven
> Plan9'ers get their work done - thanks for the lessons learned.

Yes, I might gather up all of the information and combine it in some  
way for future reference for the negligent. Anyone who wishes to learn  
about sane management could benefit from it as well.

> The solution that feels 'right' will inevitable emerge and this  
> thread has surely been a step
> forward in the right direction.

At least we discussed it. I feel confident that very little, if any,  
changes need to be made to the existing system.

>
> Best Regards,
>
>   Jorge-León
>
>