Hello, I would suggest that we change dpkg to handle common files in different packages that have the same md5sum. Dpkg could only install one copy, and remove the last copy when the last package with this file is removed.
The proposal would solve the problem that we only ship one copy of the GPL with the Debian system, although one can obtain binary packages from the ftp server isolated. People getting a binary package won't get a valid copyright file when the copyright is one of the following. GPL, LGPL, Artistic, BSD Dpkg could give an overwrite error when the md5sums do not match. This could also solve problems with common files between packages, for example the X servers. The proposal goes back to an idea by Raul Miller, I've seen it on some list, don't remember where. Thank you, Marcus -- "Rhubarb is no Egyptian god." Debian GNU/Linux finger brinkmd@ Marcus Brinkmann http://www.debian.org master.debian.org [EMAIL PROTECTED] for public PGP Key http://homepage.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/Marcus.Brinkmann/ PGP Key ID 36E7CD09
