Re: The Kernel

[Rick Jones <rickya@siservices.net>]

George Bonser wrote:
> 
> It absolutely DOES. It requires that adistribution 1) Contain a specific
> core set of software and 2) requires that these core components are
> withing specific versions

Right.

> I think there is confusion about the two cores.  There is the distribution
> core which WILL define a filesystem layout, a packaging format, etc. and
> there is a Linux core which defines only the base software.

You are confused, and confusing others.  There is "The Linux core" as
the absolute foundation.  On top of that is "The Distro Base", which you
are referring to as core and also think others are talking about when
they are talking about "The Linux core" *not* the SEUL "base".

> It is not enough to say that a system must have ld.so, GCC, and libc5, we
> must enforce a version range. Then a person can look at their system and
> say .. cool, I have SEUL 1.3 and they will know that any software that
> says "Requires SEUL 1.3" will work on their system.

Again.  Incorrect.  It would be "...cool, I have a Linux 1.3 core". 
This Linux core can be in whatever distro, not just SEUL.

> THAT specification does NOT enforce a filesystem layout, package manager,
> etc.  You can use RPM and put your uucp config files in /usr/lib/uucp and
> be compliant or you can use dpkg and put your uucp configs in /etc/uucp
> and be compliant. What THAT spec does is gives me confidance that I can
> download that software, put it in /usr/local/src and do a make and it will
> compile.

Compliant, how?!?  Lets say Word Perfect adds uucp handling how in the
hell are they going to know how to do it?  A lame example, granted, but
I think with some imagination you can see my point.

There has to be a set standard for file location of Linux wide files. 
Distro specific files can go in an addition to the standard if they
want.  Then a vender is going to know exactly where it is since they are
aiming at that particular distro's files.

That would just recreate the same problem all over again.

> A package that complies with the DISTRIBUTION core can be distributed and
> a dpkg file that simply installs in the correct location without needing
> to be compiled AND will run properly.

That's the point.  A vendor should be able to create *one* version of
there software and have it work on all "Linux core compliant" distro's. 
Otherwise it's no different than what we have now.  An environment in
which vendors don't feel compfortable bothering with.

> I am getting tired of talking about it, lets put something together and
> modify it to get what wer want. We can sit here and talk till we are blue
> in the face and have the greatist plan in the world with absolutely
> nothing on the table.

We can't put together a Linux core when the guy doing it hasn't grasped
it's purpose.  We'd be spinning our wheels.

> Lets do this.  Debian 2.0 is adopted as-is for SEUL-0.1 for the
> Distribution core. A DESCRIPTION of the core components becomes the Linux
> Core document.

First project on the distro side should be to develop the Linux core,
since it is what the SEUL distro will be built on.  Then move on to the
distro itself.  Otherwise you are duplicating your efforts.