ZeroInstall; dare ya !

[David J Patrick]

William Park wrote:

>On Mon, Dec 15, 2003 at 06:34:04PM -0500, David J Patrick wrote:
>  
>
>>(from the website) Key Points;
>>
>>   * Software is only ever /cached/, not /installed/. Anyone can run
>>     any software, and nothing is run as root.
>>   * Running a program is done in the same way whether it's cached or not.
>>   * Running cached software is as fast as running
>>     traditionally-installed software.
>>   * Zero Install is both simpler and more secure than traditional
>>     packaging systems.
>>   * Software can be removed from the cache to free space without
>>     affecting the behaviour of the system (it will be recached on demand).
>>
>>How hard could it be ?
>>   ok, it requires a small Linux kernel module to provide the 
>>/uri/0install directory,
>>but that's probably a piece o cake, for a seasoned, Rox lovin', kernel 
>>compilin' cowboy, such as yerself.
>>   right ?
>>
>>If this thing works, as advertized, it'll change the world.. unless 
>>nobody "gets it".
>>   check it out, try it out. spread the word.       
>>
>>(when I learn to cook up a kernel, I'm gonn go 2.6, cause Linus said to,
>>and get me some 0install,
>>    
>>
>
>But, how would you run Vim or LaTeX?  You would have to dial out every
>time you turn your computer on, no?  Is that like doing network install,
>every time?
>
>  
>
Only the first time you use an application. After that, you got it in 
the cache.
(this will be a much smaller PITA than the current download+install medthod)
Of course, down the road _when_ this bit of super-genius takes off, a 
"distribution"
will be nothing more than a core cache of esential apps and 
preconfigured pointers
that will allowing any user to bootstrap any ol' online box
to anything developers have made available via 0install.

tell two people !

djp




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