[Pkg-alsa-devel] Alsa-plugins, the a52 plugins, and a separate package.

[Luke Yelavich]

Hi guys,
Another Ubuntu/Debian merge point, with alsa-plugins. As of the latest Debian revision, the only difference between Ubuntu and Debian is the dropping of the a52 plugins. This is because it was decided that Ubuntu should not ship anything using libavcodec on the main Ubuntu images. Whilst this is easy to carry, I'd still rather get alsa-plugins to a syncable state.

I propose that we put a52 related plugins into a new package, say libasound2-plugins-a52. This allows Debian users to continue to use the a52 plugins as they have for a while, and also allows Ubuntu users to install the a52 plugins, should they wish to do so. I've long thought of packaging these plugins in a separate package for Ubuntu users, but if we do it in Debian, its less work for me. :)

I am aware of the ramifications for Debian, particularly since users won't want to have to hunt down a new package to get the plugins they were using, but this may also help Debian in terms of its freeness, depending of course whether there are other packages that pull in alsa-plugins.

I'm happy to do the work to split things out if you are ok with this proposal.

Thoughts or other suggestions welcome.

Luke