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<p>Hi,
<br/><u><font color="#0000ff"></font></u>
<br/><u><font color="#0000ff">Using /opt: Why, How & For How Long?</font></u>
<br/><u><font color="#0000ff"></font></u>
<br/><b>What are the issues?</b>
<br/><b></b>
<br/>• Standards.
<br/>◦ What about introducing a new 'mobile' Linux standard.
<br/>• Repackaging.
<br/>• Differences in flash performance.
<br/>
<br/><b>How to use /opt correctly:</b>
<br/><b></b>
<br/>• Every Linux system has /opt, and using it has been a long-time debate.
<br/>• Directly from upstream.
<br/>• /opt must be made seamless for developers.
<br/>• How to deal with hard-coded paths?
<br/>• Is /opt a temporary "fix"?
<br/>◦ Are there any other long-term solutions?
<br/>∙ What is Nokia's choice?
<br/>∙ What about using fast flash for swap and apps on slow?
<br/>• Some packages should not get better flash.
<br/>• Whatever the solution, using it should not be decided by the developer.
<br/>
<br/><b>How to get space for your package:</b>
<br/><b></b>
<br/>• /opt should be a short-term solution.
<br/>• Issues
<br/>◦ /opt survives reflash (same with /home).
<br/>◦ Heuristic <i>is</i> heuristic.
<br/>◦ Symlinks are necessary.
<br/>• Ideas
<br/>◦ <i>Magic</i> should be on the device.
<br/>◦ <b><i>Magic</i> should not be contained in Debian rules.</b>
<br/>◦ <b>Call <i>Magic</i> in build-bot after Debian rules.</b>
<br/>∙ Optionally.
<br/>• First option, but later <i>opt_out</i>.
<br/>◦ <b>Must introduce efficient maintenance of the <i>Magic</i>.</b>
<br/>◦ Call <i>Magic</i> in dpkg for build package?
<br/>◦ Call <i>Magic</i> in maemo-build package?
<br/>◦ Profiling.
<br/>• Next SSU <i>must</i> clean entire /opt directory.
<br/>◦ Fix dpkg, if needed.
<br/>◦ Hook for <i>Magic</i> from Extras?
<br/>∙ Idea might not be entirely embraced by some people at Nokia.
<br/>• Clear documentation is necessary.
<br/>◦ On maemo.org wiki?
<br/>
<br/>Tim
<br/>
<br/>--
<br/><a href="http://samoff.com">http://samoff.com</a><br/></p>
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