[Mono-list] Establishing a Mono Comprehensive Archive.

[Andreas Färber]

Am 11.01.2007 um 03:06 schrieb Christopher Granade:

> On some other discussions here on [Mono-list], there has been talk of
> establishing a site that would aggregate all sorts of open-source .NET
> libraries and developer tools, a la CPAN or CTAN. Since many of the
> projects which offer such packages are hosted through sites like  
> Google
> Code, GNU Savannah or SourceForge, a site which redirects users to
> CVS/SVN repositories for a project might be desired. Does anyone have
> any ideas about this, the time to start work on a project?

Some time ago I suggested a directory like Apple's Mac OS X downloads  
(http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/). Categories could include  
compilers, database connectivity, reporting. Miguel liked the idea at  
the time but it was never discussed who might host it, how it's  
developped etc.

A Mono-CAN as suggested now would probably mean hosting tons of  
binary downloads, involving a lot of work to keep it up-to-date thus  
usable, whereas a user-edited and reviewed directory would probably  
mean less maintenance work but more upfront development time...

Actually, both approaches wouldn't necessarily contradict each other  
- a Web directory is directed at users for the purpose of more easily  
finding new libraries and tools that could then be obtained either  
through an automated Mono-CAN system or through the classic  
distribution channels.

Concerning names for such a site, instead of using an abbreviation or  
acronym we could just as well call it something more literary like  
The Monkey House or Tools For Primates or whatever. ;-)

Andreas