Request for ARB dependency rule changes

[Jonathan Carter (highvoltage)]

Hey Michael

On 03/02/2012 22:37, Michael Hall wrote:
> We currently have over 50 different Lenses and Scopes being developed to
> extend the functionality of the Unity Dash, being made by more than a
> dozen different developers both inside the company and without.
>
> The design of the Lens API specifically gives these developers the
> ability to work independently, but still allow their different pieces to
> work together.  Lens authors don't need to specify every available Scope
> written by other people, and Scope authors don't need to submit their
> work for approval by Lens authors.  It was very deliberately designed to
> allow this.
>
> Now we want to start getting those 50+ additions to Unity available to
> users through the Software Center, so we are having them packaged and
> submitted to the ARB.  The issue we've run into is that the ARB's
> currently policy does not allow different source packages in the extras
> repository to depend on each other.  So while the Unity API has made it
> possible for me to write a Scope without having to submit it to the Lens
> author for approval, the current ARB rules won't allow it unless I get
> the Lens author to include it in their own source package, or the Lens
> package gets moved to the Universe repository.
>
> Because of this I am requesting either an alteration to the current ARB
> rules on dependencies, or an exception specifically for Unity lenses and
> scopes, that will allow us to distribute these valuable and popular
> enhancements to all of our users through the Software Center.

You probably meant to send (or at least CC) this to the technical board? 
You probably also want to add it to the agenda for the next meeting as well.

-Jonathan