Bug#1012274: Please don't use Recommends: lirc

[Alec Leamas]

Package: vdr
Version: 2.6.0-1


Currently, vdr seems to have a Recommends dependency on lirc. As a 
consequence, lirc is pulled in automatically for users installing vdr.

Historically, this has been the right choice. However, these days this 
does not work that well. One reason is that most users uses the kernel 
IR decoding that does not require lirc. Such users will then start a 
large server running as root for no purpose.

Another aspect is that lirc in many situations requires manual 
configuration. This is basically OK, lirc is an extremely powerful tool 
aimed for power users. However, users which gets lirc as an dependency 
sometimes runs into troubles as described in [1].

I suggest that the current "Recommends: lirc" is replaced with a weaker 
"Suggests: lirc". This will avoid that lirc is installed as a dependency 
while still giving a hint it could be useful for power users.

Regards
--alec leamas




[1] https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/lirc/+bug/1768291