From f9b7eb796df8e062fcb467d0e3a0e1dc0a4a26ad Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: P. J. McDermott <pjm@nac.net>
Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2012 01:04:51 -0500
Subject: Rewrite source package format rationale.

---
(limited to 'specs/source-package-format-1.0.txt')

diff --git a/specs/source-package-format-1.0.txt b/specs/source-package-format-1.0.txt
index 6d623d1..b1e08e0 100644
--- a/specs/source-package-format-1.0.txt
+++ b/specs/source-package-format-1.0.txt
@@ -33,13 +33,26 @@ into an operating system.
 Rationale
 =========
 
-This source package format is modeled after the package format of the OpenBricks
-Embedded Linux Framework.  However, this format more natively supports the
-building of multiple binary packages from one source package.  Additionally,
-source packages in this format are intended to be maintained independently (like
-Debian packages are) rather than in one monolithic software repository (such as
-that of OpenBricks).  In this and other respects, this format draws inspiration
-from Debian's source package formats.
+This source package format is functionally similar to Debian's source package
+formats.  It differs from them most noticeably in that:
+
+  * All source and binary package metadata is kept outside of the upstream
+    source directory structure,
+  * Each binary package has its metadata and scripts organized in its own
+    directory,
+  * Certain control file fields are omitted, and
+  * Packages may be configured at build time or at run time for hardware and
+    application platforms.
+
+Overall, this format is designed to be conducive to building packages for a
+highly flexible embedded operating system.  Additionally, source packages in
+this format are intended to be maintained independently (like packages in Debian
+and most other GNU/Linux distributions are) rather than in one monolithic
+software repository (as is the case with most embedded operating system
+distributions).
+
+It may not be the most efficient or maintainer-friendly format, but this is an
+innovative first step and may be improved over time.
 
 
 Directory Structure
--
cgit v0.9.1