Jim Pick: > Randolph Chung has released a alpha-test version of a utility that > will convert .deb files to .rpm files. > > http://132.236.56.9/pages/rc42/program/martian.html > > And Debian's alien package can already install .rpm files.
Randolph is a close friend of mine (I'm the maintainer of the alien program), and we're working together on this, and in a week or so, alien will merge in martian's functionality and be able to convert in both directions. > Plus, I think it would be a boost to the Debian project -- since we're > much better equipped to handle volunteer package maintainers. My impression > of the people who develop "contrib" packages for Red Hat is that they > are treated as "second class citizens" by that particular project (maybe > that sounds too nasty). The RPM's developed by Red Hat Software themselves > obviously get precedence over those developed outside the company. These > "contrib" developers might like working with us better, even if their > primary target is the Red Hat system. That's why I switched to debian and became a debian developer. I was previously working on contrib rpm's, and it was exactly as you say. -- See shy Jo.
