RE: Software installation using gnome

["Virden, Larry W." <lvirden cas org>]

-----Original Message-----
From: Matthew Paul Thomas
 
> [...] there are other reasons for applications to use the same copy 
of a library (such as lower memory consumption and easier security 
updates). 

Another reason is that while disk space is cheap from a "buying off the
shelf" point of view, there's a lot more to the cost of disk than the
suggested retail price. In my experience, there's the whole paper work
cost of getting the disk (specs, justification memos, approvals,
purchase orders, shipping and receiving, setup, configuration,
installation, administration). Then there's the cost of tracking what
has been installed on each desktop, so that when one has to upgrade or
replace a setup, it's been replaced, the effort of keeping the libraries
up to date scattered across hundreds of desktops in multiple locations,
etc.

The argument for file sharing the libraries across desktops is similar
to the argument for file sharing on a single desktop - otherwise, why
not just have a copy of the needed libraries included in each
application directory, ala Windows and their dll chaos?