Both of them use the Debian packaging system (see www.debian.org for details)
which means if you use this system it is just a matter of saying you want
the packages and they should just install automatically!
The first is ax25utils which is the ax25 utilities we all know and love.
The current version is 2.1.42a and is now available. Currently there is
no automagical script to do all the configuring for you, so you just have
to use your favourite editor as before, but watch this space.
The second package is tnt, which is a bit like call only it has a lot
more features. It also is used for connecting other programs up and
can be used as a sort of mailbox. The current version is 1.1a patch
3 which means you don't need tfkiss anymore. This is still alpha code
so expect some funnies.
For packaging, I re-wrote some of the tnt program so that each user has
their own configuration files. It means you can personalise all the
many parameters that tnt uses.
Both packages have been patched for running libc 6 (glib2), the lastest
version of the libraries. tnt is currently making its way through the
incoming FTP queue and should be available soon.
Both packages are licenced under the GPL, which means I was able to modify
them so they worked under changing conditions (ie libc6). They also
follow the Filesystem standards now (where your supposed to put files).
As a bonus, because they are GPLed they will appear in the Debian main
distribution and will work their way onto the official Debian CD in time.
What's next? Well I have waiting in the work directory dpbox, a BBS program
that looks a bit like NOS and looks a bit like FBB. It plugs into tnt
(which is why tnt was done first). Then, I'll have to find something else.
I'm always looking for more programs to package up, the free'er (in GPL sense
not money cost) they are the better. If you are a programmer and are not
sure what this GPL means to you, drop email me, if I don't know the answer
I'll find someone who does.
- Craig VK2XLZ