Multilib Middle-Ground

[Rahul Sundaram]

Les Mikesell wrote:

> No, but you can - and do - make it difficult for 3rd party packagers to 
> build RPMs that work across multiple distros/versions, and for users to 
> install such packages.  It is silly if you don't see that, or that Red 
> Hat doesn't care if fedora alienates the potential users of RPM and 
> 'system-config-xxx' based distributions.

In this case, the packager is deliberately overriding the dependency 
mechanism and not using file based dependencies that make it work across 
the distribution. There is really no excuse for not using the tools 
provided. VMWare packaging is just broken and suggestions on what they 
should do should be taken to them. Not here. Save yourself the trouble.

>> Also read the distrowatch FAQ while you are at it that explains how 
>> unimportant it is. If you really believe the top most distribution in 
>> that list is the most popular globally, good luck.
> 
> Where can I find better metrics?

The usual method used by research firms is to track revenue but that 
covers only commercial distributions. RHEL has a known majority market 
share there and none of the commercial distributions would ever show up 
very high on the distrowatch stats. You can't find any good metrics on 
  usage of non commercial or free distributions. Fedora uses Smolt. Refer

https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Statistics

Other distributions are beginning to adopt it. If it gets integrated 
better, it could provide more useful metrics for more distributions. 
Without invasive techniques likely compulsory registration or automatic 
phoning home options, the metrics are bound to be inherently fuzzy 
however. Some details on that at

http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Infrastructure/Metrics

Rahul