I just read that MacPorts has been selected by Google as a member project of the Summer of Code for 2007.
http://trac.macosforge.org/projects/macports/wiki/SummerOfCode
There are a bunch of tasks on the list, including a re-write of the dependencies system, as well as a GUI, but of particular interest to me is Task #4: Binaries.
MacPorts project does not provide binaries yet (installation of software without compiling them). This project consists in working in concert (or cooperatively) with whomever does (virtual chroot) to setup a mechanism to automatically build packages, send reports on failures and implement a distribution mechanisms to allow users to fetch binary packages.
Before switching to OS X, I was a Linux user. Specifically, I used Ubuntu/Debian, whose apt (Advanced Packaging Tool) package manager is simply wonderful. I realize now how spoiled I was. If OS X lacks anything, it’s a decent package manager. Of course, there’s Fink (which is like apt), but for various reasons I’ve had better luck with (Mac|Darwin)Ports and have developed a preference for it. Now that Apple is (somewhat) behind the MacPorts project, I’m hoping that an ‘official’ package manager will emerge. MacPorts with support for binary ports would rock.
I agree with you. OS X needs to put more emphasis on package management. I wish it were something that Apple would get behind. It’s one of the areas that is lacking, IMO. Nice blog.