Debian-Project - Release Goals for Version 2.1

Hardware Packages

This has been proposed by Yann Dirson.

Implement some sort of "hardware-feature" (virtual-)packages. That is, for each specifically interesting piece of hardware on a machine, provide some sort of virtual package.

Examples of use:

• alsa-modules Requires: sound-card
• zip-tools Requires: zip-drive
• xtel Recommends: modem
• set6x86 Depends: 5x86-processor | 6x86-processor
• ...

It could even be expanded to the point that all archs are collapsed in a single pool, with only sort of "Depends: xxx-processor" or "Depends: aaaaa-machine"

That could make it possible one day (with a bit more work) to install Debian packages on emulators (uae Provides: amiga-machine)

[note that this is not unlike my old "virtual machines" proposal]