Date: Thu, 29 Oct 1998 16:13:45 -0700 From: Wes Peters <wes@softweyr.com> To: Greg Lehey <grog@lemis.com> Cc: Scott Mitchell <scott@dcs.qmw.ac.uk>, Licia <licia@o-o.org>, "Jason C. Wells" <jcwells@u.washington.edu>, advocacy@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Let's get back on track. Message-ID: <3638F6A9.1D526912@softweyr.com> References: <Pine.BSF.4.05.9810281808020.7221-100000@s8-37-26.student.washington.edu> <Pine.BSF.3.96.981028205707.13136A-100000@o-o> <19981029161049.Q25247@freebie.lemis.com> <19981029100843.F9354@dcs.qmw.ac.uk> <19981029204848.W25247@freebie.lemis.com> <19981029105821.G9354@dcs.qmw.ac.uk> <19981030084254.Y25247@freebie.lemis.com>
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Scott Mitchell wrote:
> > The credibility of any certification programme won't be enhanced if we go
> > slapping logos all over products that require an inordinate amount of
> > effort to install. If there's a port to automate it all, then great,
> > otherwise you may be in for a nasty surprise when you get the box home.
> >
> > Please understand that I'm entirely in favour of a 'works with FreeBSD'
> > programme -- just don't dilute its' worth by overdoing it!
>
Greg Lehey wrote:
>
> Agreed. Comments, you others?
Yeah, let's see if we can get this discussion back on track. I've thought
about this a lot overnight (instead of staying up all night scribing email
messages ;^) and have decided that branding something that can't be
installed by an ordinary, non-programmer "superuser" is not appropriate.
Licia commented sometime yesterday that FreeBSD ports for these applications
could be provided by users, and wouldn't necessarily have to come from the
vendor. You could've knocked me over with a feather! I *NEVER* intended
for vendors to write FreeBSD port kits; I had always imagined this to be
the logical finishing point of the FreeBSD volunteers who test and install
the application in the first place.
So, let me re-propose the following two categories. I'll use my original
names; we can fight about that later on.
Works with FreeBSD: An application that was not written for FreeBSD, but
can be made to run on FreeBSD *reliably.* A FreeBSD
port kit has been developed and posted on the FTP
server that will install the application from a
download or from vendor-supplied media.
Again, the classical example of this is the Linux version of Adobe Acrobat
Reader. Since the port kit already exists, this logo could be awarded to
Acrobat immediately.
The port kit in this case is a requirement because it both verifies that
the application can be run on FreeBSD as long as the precursor requirements
are met, and because it enables any reasonably adept system administrator
to install the application such that it will work.
Designed for FreeBSD: An application with FreeBSD binaries and a FreeBSD
installation program, from the vendor. A FreeBSD
port kit (created by FreeBSD volunteers) that auto-
mates the install process in a "standard" installation
MAY be available to simplify installation.
The classical example for this category is Communicator. Netscape provides
FreeBSD executables and an install program for FreeBSD; a port kit is
available that will automate the installation.
The port kit in this case is not REQUIRED; the application already includes
an installation program that will install the product on FreeBSD. A port
kit, developed by FreeBSD volunteers, may make the product easier to install,
and will be linked on the web page if present.
The reason for two levels of "logoization" is to provide extra recognition
for those vendors who have gone the extra mile and made their applications
specifically for FreeBSD. This applies to Netscape, soon to be for Applix-
ware, and for a number of other really cool companies.
--
Where am I, and what am I doing in this handbasket?
Wes Peters +1.801.915.2061
Softweyr LLC wes@softweyr.com
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