Re: [gentoo-dev] prefix overide portage

[Matt Doughty <wyndigo@zad.att.ne.jp>]

<SNIP>
> 
> I, too, suggest that we introduce the functionality of the custom
> package prefix in /etc/make.conf.
> -- 
to me I see two logical configurable prefixes:
X11: I understand that is currently default to /usr/X11R6, and I
     consider this a good default, but there is no reason to set
     it in stone.
Portage packages: leaving the default to /usr is fine, but I would
     really think that shouldn't become a dumping ground like it has
     in so many other distros.  I can understand those who don't care
     can leave it in default dumping ground mode, and still allow
     those of us who like a "cleaner" solution to have our way.

I personally would like to leave /bin,/sbin,/lib /usr/bin,/usr/lib,
and /usr/sbin alone after the initial bootstrap. I don't want 
optional packages to intermingle in the same file space as those
that are needed for the system to function.  The ability to create
a clean delineation is doing the right thing(TM) from my perspective.

I think this really ammounts to good engineering, and if the goal is
to be more flexible than the ports/pkgsrc system this is needed
functionality.

On a related note, I think it would be wise to clearly delineate 
packages that are needed for basic booting system in some way. If
this functionality already exists, and I missed it please let me
know.  My main thought here is I want the ability to rebuild the
base system readily. Actually the more I think of it the better it
would be if one could say bootstrap a system to test directory first
(maybe /usr/local/base-test) and then assuming a possibly even chrooting
to test the new base simply reinstall the proper place or rerun the
bootstap without the overridden directory.  One way or another the 
ability to override the target for a package has many practical
applications.  Once again, let me know what I can do to help with this.

--Matt