Changes/DisabledRepoSupport

Disabled Repositories Support

Summary

The Software tool and PackageKit now support disabled repositories to help users locate software in additional repositories which are not meant to be enabled by default.

Owner

• Name: Richard Hughes
• Email: rhughes at redhat dot com
• Release notes owner:

Current status

• Targeted release: Fedora 22
• Last updated: 2014-03-03
• Tracker bug: <will be assigned by the Wrangler>

Detailed Description

This feature aims to reduce the technical hurdles for users and developers to locate software packaged for a distribution, but which needs to be clearly identified as not officially included (or possibly sanctioned) by that distribution.

When Software (via PackageKit) queries a repo definition that contains the line enabled_metadata=1, even if the repo is disabled, it will download repodata. This feature allows a user to locate software in response to a search. If the user wants to install the software, she receives a dialog with information that the repo must be enabled to satisfy the request, and if relevant, information about the nature of the software (for instance, if it is non-libre).

N.B. This feature does not currently operate in Fedora, since no such repo definitions are currently shipped. However, the feature could be used by remixers, and in the future in Fedora in the event of a policy change.

Benefit to Fedora

This feature was created in response to both an identified user need to locate non-distribution packaged software, and simultaneously address the need to inform users of the nature of any such software before installation can complete.

Scope

• Proposal owners: Include enhancements in gnome-software/PackageKit (done)
• Other developers: N/A (not a System Wide Change)
• Release engineering: N/A (not a System Wide Change)
  • Note: For this feature to be used in Fedora requires an additional *-release-extra package to ship disabled repo definition
• Policies and guidelines: N/A (not a System Wide Change)
  • Note: For this feature to be used in Fedora requires clearer approval from FESCo and the Council

Upgrade/compatibility impact

N/A (not a System Wide Change)

How To Test

N/A (not a System Wide Change)

User Experience

N/A (not a System Wide Change) -- No net change for Fedora users at this time.

Dependencies

N/A (not a System Wide Change)

Contingency Plan

• Contingency mechanism: None (feature is complete)
• Contingency deadline: N/A
• Blocks release? N/A (not a System Wide Change)
• Blocks product? No

Documentation

• Implementation notes on author's blog

Release Notes

• TBD in event of Fedora policy change + packaging of disabled repo files; otherwise none