System configuration and GNOME 2.0

[Miguel de Icaza <miguel ximian com>]

This is a follow up on the existing thread that has a different subject:
> It's also vital to manage system-wide stuff, not just user
> preferences. Red Hat has some plan for that, but I think it's outside
> the scope of GNOME.

This is outside the scope of GNOME 2.0 release indeed.  

But it is not outside the scope of GNOME.  It is a mistake just to think
that GNOME should not take a stance in this area.

That being said:

This particular piece (system-wide configuration) seems to have an
overlap with the Ximian Setup Tools, and I would very much like to do
the right thing, we should:

	* Avoid code duplication.

	* Listen to what Red Hat is doing and working with Red Hat
	  to design such a system.

	* Agree to share code.

It would be useful to know what Red Hat is doing in this area.  If it is
not possible for any competitive reason, the GNOME project should move
on and:

	* Adopt the XST that are considered relevant for performing
	  global system settings.  

	* If the XSTs are lacking or missing or are not useful in a
	  scenario, that scenario should be discussed and the tools
	  updated.  Ignoring all our work is a waste of time.

But it is not productive for us to write cross-distribution tools and
still have Red Hat completely ignore this work and come with their own
tools.  Chema probably can explain in detail (I have been out of the
loop with the XST development). 

I also want to say (because I think Maciej mentioned something related
to this) that I am not advocating the XSTs to become part of the GNOME
2.0 timeline.

There seems to be much confusion about what will be in GNOME 2.0, and
everyone should work really hard towards one single goal: port
everything to the new platform.  

Porting things to the new platform does not include adopting new tools
like the XST into the GNOME 2.0 release timeline (or Metacity).  

GNOME 2.0 is not the end of the development cycle, and we are giving
people mixed messages about what will be in GNOME 2.0.  

Lets get things done, and lets prepare for GNOME 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, etc to
replace existing pieces or include new components, but lets please get
this thing out of the door. 

Miguel.