FeatureSpecification: apt-third-party

[Jerry Haltom]

https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/apt-third-party

I have drafted a specification for ThirdPartyApt support. Trying to
generate conversation and interest, and perhaps some contributors.

I have created a preliminary implementation called GAptI. A link to the
bzr branch is on the wiki. It "works". It's very rough, but a pretty
good proof of concept. Please check it out and give me advice.

I'd like to see this for dapper+1 unless it's shot down.

<snip>

ThirdPartyApt defines a file format that ISVs can publish on their web
sites and distribute to users to download their software.

Rationale

Third parties should be able to distribute programs for installation on
Ubuntu or other Apt based distros (especially Ubuntu). They should be
provided tools to make installation, integration and maintenance of
their programs easy. We have existing infrastructure to provide to them,
but need to do so in a consistent way while providing an easy to use
interface. 

Scope and Use Cases

The main use case is simple. A user should be able to be provided a link
to click on by a third party ISV which will start the installation of
that ISVs software. The ISV may provide this link on a Download page, or
after an accepted payment transaction as been processed. 

The user should click on such a link, and be provided an explanation of
that they are about to trust the third party to install software onto
their system. The installed software should track updates from the ISV
automatically and integrate into the existing infrastructure. 

</snip>