Hello, Starting reading the policy, there is something I feel confusing about the statement "proper funtioning of the system".
Here is my point of view. As a Debian user since 4 years, I think that "the system" is [in fact] two folded : a > The GNU/Linux (sub)system b > The Debian (packaging) (sub)system (note that I say a/b and not first/second ;-) Breaking one subsystem does not mean breaking the other . So when I read : "2.2 Priorities ... You must not remove these packages or your system may become totally broken and you may not even be able to use dpkg to put things back" I'm rather confused (wrt the understanding of the policy)... The two parts of this sentence do not deal necessary with the same concept. BTW, if a "system" is broken I (probably) won't use dpkg to put "things back", so the usability of dpkg in emergency circumstances is rather uncertain ... Suppose I remove 'dpkg' on a file server, what's the problem ?? The "system" (but which one are we speaking about?) remains in a satisafaying state since it continues to deliver the service it is intended for : file server. So I think that we should precisely state what (sub)system is broken. Either the GNU/Linux part or the Debian part. Related question : I don't think that the difference between what is required and what is essential is clearly stated ... If we can infer from the policy description what is required, the same policy just says that "Some packages are tagged essential." Why ? In other words, is essential == required ?? Hope that I clearly stated my questions... Cheers -- mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] tel: (33) 03 20 43 84 06 INRETS, 20 rue Élisée Reclus fax: (33) 03 20 43 83 59 BP 317 -- 59666 Villeneuve d'Ascq http://www3.inrets.fr/estas/mariano
