[gobolinux-users] Idea for Gobolinux binary distribution

[Rayne Van-Dunem]

I remember that, besides the file system heirarchy, one of the biggest
debates concerning the majority of Linux distributions revolves around
the installation of non-reposited third party (and distro-agnostic)
application packages. Of course, you already have several projects
which are committed to a metapackage solution, but the verbal sludge
slung between Autopackage and the major distros (including the Ubuntu
Forums, if I can recall directly) is old news.

However, I just wanted to put out to the mailing list an idea that
I've been having for quite a while concerning binary compilation and
distribution. Dunno if the devs would try this out, but here goes:

Mac OS X (to which Gobo has been likened in some aspects) is known,
among other things, for its binary format (.dmg). However, I've
realized, by reading and re-reading the Wikipedia article, that ".dmg"
isn't actually a binary format, but more like an application
equivalent or akin to a virtual "LiveCD". The actual application's
binary form "Blank.app" is inside of the .dmg (or "disk image"); the
.dmg, when downloaded, is "mounted" as a virtual disk drive inside
Finder, and serves the primary task of transporting the inside binary
from point A to point B.

My suggestion is this: can a system that does the same thing be
developed for GoboLinux?

Here's what I'm thinking: A user can download Firefox.livecd from the
Gobolinux site or a third-party Gobolinux mirror by clicking on the
link and downloading it from the web browser. Then an application like
Manager will pop-up and show you the virtual LiveCD that you've just
downloaded with all the files that came along inside it. However, you
can have the choice of running the application in the virtual LiveCD
without installing it by virtually-mounting the LiveCD. Then Manager
will run the virtual LiveCD's recipes so that it will run just like a
LiveCD (or LiveUSB, which I'd definately prefer) for as long as you
have the LiveCD in Manager. Once you tire of it, you can just drag the
LiveCD out of Manager and Trash it (or whatever else you many want to
do with it). You can copy it, send it flying through the Internet's
tubes to fellow Gobo-using friends (pending if they can clean up the
clogs first :-P ), post it to your site, *anything*, and they'll be
able to run the .livecd file with similar ease.

Just an idea. Plus, major inspiration for it came from
Portable-Apps.org and the growing number of USB-portable apps for
Windows and Mac (as well as the number of bootable LiveUSBs with Linux
distributions; but what about portable USB apps for a Linux
distribution?).

What do you think?

Rayne