David O'Brien writes:
> On Sun, Dec 10, 2000 at 11:22:17AM -0800, Joe Kelsey wrote:
> > Basically, /usr/local is for anything the local administration wants to
> > officially support. The ports use of this (and by extension,
> > pre-compiled ports (packages)) is thus completely justified.
>
> Do you understandy why NetBSD's Packages install in /usr/pkg ?
> What is your position behind that?
I have no problem with /usr/pkg. I personally do not see the need for
it. I have been arguing with Mike over his historic characterization of
/usr/local as being a repository of locally written software, and I
think I have proved my point that his characterization is incorrect.
This thread is also about a completely separate issue, which is a
deficiency in the package command used on FreeBSD. The basic problem
with pkg_add et al., as opposed to, for instance, SVR4 pkgadd, is that
it does not allow the local administrator to change the installation
directory. Most commercial distributions provide a package distribution
mechanism which allows the local administrator the choice between the
"standard" package installation location, and the ability to override it
with a directory of their own choosing. Arguably, the pkg_* commands of
FreeBSD are deficient in that they force an installation directory
choice on the local administrator.
To the extent that NetBSD *forces* the local administrator to use
/usr/pkg, I find it contains the same deficiency. If it does not force
this, then perhaps FreeBSD should adopt it. I have never used NetBSD,
so I cannot comment further on it.
My argument is solely that Mike is incorrect in characterizing
/usr/local as a place for locally written software. I also find that
his table is incorrect historically. The table he presented conveys his
*wish* for administrative purposes and his attempts to justify it by
some sort of historical argument do not hold water.
He is correct in that it does make sense for a local administrator to
*want* to be able to separate packages by the need to maintain source,
etc. I can agree with him on that point. He is just wrong about the
history of the evolution of the file system hierarchy.
/Joe
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