graphical installer for debian could be used to replace the BDI

[Robert <robbates-at-emerge.net.au>]

PGI is a multi-architecture graphical installer creation system for Debian 
GNU/Linux originally developed by Progeny Linux Systems, Inc., for our 
Debian-based "Progeny Debian" operating system. Our distribution is defunct, 
but our code is not, and we have been contributing it -- freely licensed -- 
back to the Debian Project. 


The PGI Debian package enables the user to create ISO images containing a 
bootable installer (PGI) which guides the user through the steps of 
installation. The installer supports text and graphical installation modes. 
PGI runs debootstrap to install a minimal Debian system to the target 
filesystem(s), sets up a boot loader (if the installing user requests), and 
uses the pivot_root() system call to "boot" into the installed system. ISO 
images may be generated with complete or partial Debian package archives, or 
with the the installer only (useful for network-only installs, which PGI 
supports.) 


PGI is extensible and customizable. Two example extensions are provided with 
this package; one uses the base-config package, while the other configures 
the installed system using the X-based Configlet system, also developed by 
Progeny. 


Two manuals are provided. "Creating Debian Installers with PGI" documents the 
setup and configuration of a PGI-based installer ISO in detail. "Using the 
PGI Debian Installer" is an example of a PGI user's manual. Those creating 
custom installers with PGI will want to update the user's manual for their 
target audience. 


PGI is licensed under the GNU General Public License. 

You can get this from here http://hackers.progeny.com/pgi/

One of the disadvantages of the BDI is the large iso flie to down load and 
maintaining the installation can be a bear because it is redhat and rpm 
based.
In contrast debian offers apt-get which can download,install and upgrade all 
with automatic dependancy resolution and like EMC debian is community driven 
unlike redhat.
Just imagine being able to issue apt-get install EMC and all files will be 
downloaded and installed for a working EMC setup.
according to the documentation. The installer can be very small and self 
booting. 
So the process of installing EMC would be
1 download the PGI installer and burn to cdrom
2 run the installer from bootable cdrom
3 let the installer download of take off cdrom the debian system
4 apt-get install EMC downloads all EMC files to a standard debian system
5 start playing :)

principal advantages
1 eliminates downloading the entire supporting distibution since the user can 
get cheap cd copies of debian or download these also
2 Uses a central location for all EMC related files
3 Automatic upgrading of the entire system including EMC to current or newest 
release.
4 Renowned debian stability and flexibility

Obviously all this convenience requires some work by those in the know.
1 creation and maintenance of the basic PGI installer script
2 uploading custom installer and emc packages to debians or others servers 
ready for download.

I think this approach has great potential for reducing downloads and improving 
system mintenance issues


Alternatively similar functioanality could be had for a redhat based 
installation using apt4rpm. from http:apt4rpm.sourceforge.net/
but as the BDI is based on an obsolete version of redhat support for this is 
almost certainly not available.

So what do you think ? comments / issues ?

Rob