[Kolab-devel] Benefits of OpenPKG

[Bernhard Reiter]

Hi Michael,

On Friday 15 September 2006 14:48, Michael Stucki wrote:
> > Am Donnerstag, 17. August 2006 13:04 schrieb Michael Stucki:

> > this was discussed before: We would not have had the current Kolab
> > solution, including the server implementation, if we would not have used
> > OpenPKG. Furthermore: We are not focussed on OpenPKG.
>
> This may be true: More users are trying out Kolab because it is easy to
> install. However, looking at the problems I've mentioned, I suppose that
> many of them are turning away from it after short time...
>
> This is why I suggested to publish an extended Debian system for those who
> like to start easily...

I think I am missing the thought behind this, what is an "extended" Debian 
system? 

> > You could consider OpenPKG path' more standard then Debian ones
> > as they will hold across GNU/Linux and other operating system boundaries.
>
> From a Kolab developers view (who has many Kolabs where he can expect every
> file at the same place) this may be true and makes life easier for you.
>
> But from a system administrator this is definitely wrong. The whole system
> is a huge foreign body, everything is different than elsewhere.

This depends on the system administrator. OpenPKG was founded by very 
experienced system administrators to exactely deal with the problem
that the various systems where not that standardised.
It usually depends on how many systems you administer.
Running Kolab in production usually is done with a server on its own
for reasonable sized installation. This is the main target group 
for Kolab Server users.

> > The reason is the ability to provide a stable product which can be
> > supported and do not interfere with the choice of host operating system
> > that the customer has made.
>
> ...which requires the administrator to do duplicate work

Depends, sometimes it is less work, profitting from better instructions
and help.

> ...whose security state depends on the mood of the Kolab publishers

We take security very seriously, but as many Free Software initiatives,
you get defined reaction times when you sign a support contract
with the KK is offering. So far our reaction times and the reaction times
of OpenPKG are quite good, they sometimes beat Debian or other distributions
where it is a lot harder to actually sign a support contact. 

> ...which makes configuration harder for administrators, no matter what
> distribution they have chosen.

Again a matter of viewpoint.
Some feel it is easer, see above.

> > OpenPKG has many advantages over running a specific GNU/Linux
> > distribution.
>
> It also seems to keep motivations low to make seamless integration easier:
>
> Would this list still exist if OpenPKG was not available?
> https://www.intevation.de/roundup/kolab/merge?:columns=id,activity,title,cr
>eator,assignedto,status

Yes of course it would, the chance to get stuff into upstream would not be 
higher, because it is the same stuff.

Bernhard
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: application/pgp-signature
Size: 189 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.kolab.org/pipermail/devel/attachments/20060915/73190729/attachment.sig>