[Qgis-developer] Could ubuntugis PPA be a recommended repository for QGIS 2.0 on Ubuntu ?

[Ivan Mincik]

Hi,
I wonder if ubuntugis PPA could be a recommended and only one repository
for QGIS 2.0 on Ubuntu instead of distribution packaged version and
package from 'http://qgis.org/debian'. Reasons are following:

1. Currently there are many installation sources for the same Ubuntu
platform which is confusing, providing different features and causing
the mess when people trying to switch between them.

2. Distribution package in Ubuntu is outdated, I doubt anyone i using it.

3. Package from 'http://qgis.org/debian' is build with outdated
dependencies, at least often missing upstream fixes from maintaining
releases and when the time is going on they are older and older.

4. UbuntuGIS can provide a solid platform for GIS packages maintained by
skilled Debian and Ubuntu devs, can quickly apply fixes from maintaining
releases of all dependencies and QGIS itself when provided by upstream.
UbuntuGIS can upgrade all packages from time to time to keep version up
to date.

5. Using uniform and only one package source can lower maintainig costs
either to build and test packages and also when trying to solve bugs.

5. PPAs could depend on each other so one can create separate PPA for
1.x version and separate for version 2.x which will depend on some
general PPA providing all build dependencies.

6. Using UbuntuGIS in more massive scale can bring more credit and
satisfaction for people who maintain it.



What needs to be done ?:
1. Fine tuned Debian 'control' file to prevent conflicting installation
of packages after upgrading from distribution packages to UbuntuGIS
(this is the case for example in GDAL)

2. More clearly described relation between ubuntugis-stable and
ubuntugis-unstable repositories (when the packages move from unstable to
stable ...)

3. Maybe creation of more complex PPA architecture for development,
staging and production.


Looking for you opinions.

-- 
Ivan Mincik