Re: Debian Mobile: MeeGo on Debian (for N900?)
 

I know that no one will force me to use anything. ;)

And I also don't want to try stop anyone to create something like Debian mobile.

But, what I think, MeeGo wouldn't be less or more incompatible to Linux as Maemo is. OK it don't use Debian tool but instead will use other tools, like rpm or obs, and will be compatible to this. And maybe it is more compatible to the LSB, the defined Linux standard, as Maemo. Only if you define Debian as the standard, it is incompatible. But only incompatible to Debian.

And question like pacakge system or base distribution is only important for:
- Developers of the MeeGo system
- Geeks
- Partially, Developers of applications for the MeeGo system. E.g. to package the applications.

Why shouldn't an an own distribution not based on Debian can meet the developers needs? Much more important is a good and stable API and a good GUI for this devices.

For most of the end users, it is important that MeeGo works really well on the devices. Most of the users are not interested if deb or rpm is used, if it just works well. Most of the users that are not geeks, are also not interested in a terminal on their device. They want special applications which works well with finger operation or at small screens on netbooks.

Re: Debian Mobile: MeeGo on Debian (for N900?)
 

AMEN!!

That is very true.

Re: Debian Mobile: MeeGo on Debian (for N900?)
 

incompatible is always defined with respect to something.
Here it means w.r.t to a popular distribution which has a large maintained software pool.
Having a upstream distribution is relevant both for users and developers:

* users can install whatever package they like and be sure that it's up to date
(for example, apache with latest security fixes). they don't need to wait for
some developer to port it for them.

* developers of third-party apps can simply link against any non-core library
without porting it themselves and any commitment to maintain it.
If they are familiar with the mature upstream development tools and policies,
there is no need to learn something new. They could also build and test the apps
natively on their desktop.

Debian mobile will be LSB compatible and you will be able to install MeeGo RPM apps
in addition to large existing Debian pool.
If you want a system that is _only_ made for average joe, go MeeGo pure or the Iphone/Android way.
If want something for both experts and mainstream, Debian mobile would be an option.

Re: Debian Mobile: MeeGo on Debian (for N900?)
 

My suggesions:

- work with/for n900 for now;

- first BIG goal is to create a rootfs that will provide virtually same functionality as current Nokia's firmware without anything else installed, but within debian infrastructure: connected debian repos (+ project-specific repo with debs with nokia stuff and not-yet-in-debian software for n900), ability to install additional software from these repos;

- first SMALL goal is to create a wiki page that lists all debs in nokia's firmware and what is our desicion on action with that deb. And what to do with out-of-any-deb objects, if any.

Re: Debian Mobile: MeeGo on Debian (for N900?)
 

Also, it looks for me that "Debian Mobile" is a bit unfair name for this project. There are other debian- or debian-based mobile related projects. Emdebian, pkg-fso, hackable:1 to name some.

Perhaps we should be a bit modest :), and get a more specific name. Maybe Debian Meego.

Re: Debian Mobile: MeeGo on Debian (for N900?)
 

Also, what about toolchain?

We have a choice at least between emdebian toolchains, maemo's scratchbox-based environment, and native compilation (perhaps on some fast arm system running debian).

Re: Debian Mobile: MeeGo on Debian (for N900?)
 

For relicensing binaries for possible use in your project, or other methods, please see http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=44991 as well. Let me know what I can help with.

Re: Debian Mobile: MeeGo on Debian (for N900?)
 

[Re: toolchain]
For me the scratchbox-based environment works well, but there's no reason there couldn't (still) be several alternative ways to choose among, depending on what works best for you.

Re: Debian Mobile: MeeGo on Debian (for N900?)
 

stskeeps has done a nice job of documenting the (non-)free packages
http://stskeeps.subnetmask.net/maemo...penness/pr1.1/
there is also http://wiki.maemo.org/Free_Maemo

We could try to dpkg-repack all proprietary stuff, change their dependencies to the new
Debian versions and reinstall them in the Debian chroot.
We don't have the permission (stskeeps' efforts may help) to distribute them
but could have a script which automatically transforms a N900 into a Debian based device using the installed binaries.

I'm fine with Debian MeeGo, too. Debian mobile was just Julian's first idea.

Re: Debian Mobile: MeeGo on Debian (for N900?)
 

there is also scratchbox2 with an up-to-date lenny toolchain
http://maemo-sdk.garage.maemo.org/
Jebba's build server (AFAIK based on sbdmock)
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=43188
and MeeGo's OBS.