DRAFT: AGTk 2.2 Linux Plans

[Ivan R. Judson]

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This is a draft note I propose we send asap, but it needs editing.
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The AG Dev Team would like to thank all those who have provided input on the
direction the linux packaging should take, and would like to encourage more
activity like
http://www-unix.mcs.anl.gov/web-mail-archive/lists/ag-tech/2004/04/msg00111.
html in response to our requests for information.

Our plans for linux packaging are broadly to supply base distribution
materials, and a small number of end-user distributions. Additionally, work
with others to take the base distribution materials and create other
distributions, using our cvs, bugzilla, and mailing lists to coordinate the
effort.

As of 2.2 (the coming release) we plan to provide:

1) tarball packaging
2) RH7.3 RPMs
3) RHEW RPMSs
4) Windows Installers

The community augments that list by offering (unofficial*):
1) Slackware packages
2) Debian packages
3) Fedora RPMs

* 'unofficial' means that the ANL AG Team isn't doing any testing of these
packages, and thus provides no support for them.

For the 2.3 release we* would like to provide:

1) Windows Installers
2) tarball packaging
3) A basic RPM (dist,version independent)
4) A basic debian package
5) RHEW RPMs
6) Fedora RPMs
7) Slackware Packages

* 'we' in this use means the AG Developer Community.

In order to get to our goals in the 2.3 release we would like to hear from
all those who are, would, or might be willing to do packaging for a specific
platform (including windows, linux and Mac OS X). We are working on a model
that allows those developers to submit the packaging tools to the cvs
repository and then coordinate with the ANL team the testing, packaging, and
release of the software so that all the packaging stays synchronously
revisioned.

If you are interested in supporting any particular platform (or already are)
please send email to ag-mcs at mcs.anl.gov with your contact information,
platform interest, and any other pertinent information that might be
helpful.

--Ivan