getdeb-collaboration team mailing list archive

[Marco Rodrigues <gothicx@xxxxxxx>]

Hi!

How about to start with some (private) beta repository for testing purposes,
so we can test functionalities under jaunty.

After a package builds in ABS, it goes automatically to the repository, so
we can start installing packages using apt-get.

I think that's the best thing to do in the beginning..

Let's go ahead with it :-)

Thanks

João Luís Marques Pinto wrote:
> Hello all,
> 
> One of the most frequently requested features for getdeb.net is the
> ability to install the packages from a repository. Despite the clear
> advantages of using a repository there were some issues that made it
> unsuitable for us.
> 
> On the last couple of months most of those issues have been resolved
> with changes/improvements that will be available on Ubuntu 9.04. With 2
> months left for its release this is the right time to reevaluate the
> change to an APT repository distribution method.
> 
> Advantages
> - Security / integrity verification for packages (GPG signed repository)
> - Automatic updates
> - Install multi-package applications with a single click
> - Provide packages with additional dependencies not available on the
> official repositories
> 
> Disadvantages
> - Updates will be recommended for all packages making hard to apply only
> specific packages updates
> - Faulty packages will have a wider impact
> - Installing a package forces a repositories info update (to ensure you
> will get the latest version installed)
> - Reverting to a previous installed version is harder (requires an
> unusual force version command or Synaptic)
> 
> Implementation
> The implementation will require some technical changes that will need to
> be implemented on the next 2 months:
> - Database model needs to be simplified (instead of listing files we
> only need to list package names and provide APT urls)
> - A server side mirror selection script must be implemented to redirect
> APT file requests to available/updated mirrors
> - A debian package must be provided to setup the repository, add custom
> APT config and install the GPG keyring
> 
> The decision to change to a repository or keep with the current (.deb)
> system must be taken, as providing both methods is not an option
> (release management would be much harder, not enough human resources to
> handle it).
> 
> I would like to see your opinions/suggestions.
> 

-- 
Marco Rodrigues

http://Marco.Tondela.org