Table Of Contents
Access Points: CPAN
Access Points: OS Packages
Access Points: Containers
Access Points: VM Images
Access Points: The Cloud
Events: Accessibility Clinics
Events: InstallFests

ACCESS POINTS: CPAN

Comprehensive Perl

  • Perl's code ecosystem is the Comprehensive Perl Archive Network.
  • Most Perl developers now use the updated MetaCPAN web interface.
  • CPAN is a platform independent mechanism for installing Perl software.
  • Normal CPAN distributions can usually be easily built & installed.
  • Complex CPAN distributions may experience significant difficulty.
  • Non-perl dependencies may be handled by Alien::Base.
  • Automated testing is performed by CPAN Testers, although some failed tests may not include helpful debugging information or a responsive human contact.
  • The goal is to simplify and stabilize installation of CPAN distributions.
    • The CPAN logo is copyright by Jarkko Hietaniemi and/or Perl.org, and the MetaCPAN logo is copyright by Raul Matei and/or MetaCPAN.org, in the United States and/or other countries.

ACCESS POINTS: OS PACKAGES

Your Favorite Operating System

  • Installing normal CPAN distributions requires a system administrator.
  • Installing complex CPAN distributions may require a Perl developer.
  • Pre-built packages for specific operating systems provide an easier & more reliable installation mechanism.
  • Some popular CPAN distributions are already packaged by Perl-friendly operating systems.
  • The goal is to build OS packages for every CPAN distribution.
    • The Ubuntu, CentOS, macOS, and Microsoft logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners in the United States and/or other countries.

ACCESS POINTS: CONTAINERS

All In One

  • Deploying complex Perl software onto a customer's platorm may be prohibitively difficult.
  • Several issues may impede Perl software, such as:
    • Security Restrictions
    • Package Installation Policies
    • Read-Only File Systems
    • Lack Of GNU Compiler Toolchain
    • Not Perl-Friendly Operating Systems
  • Container platforms such as Docker provide an almost fool-proof deployment mechanism.
  • Some complex Perl applications already provide Docker containers.
  • Most Perl apps are not yet containerized.
  • The goal is to streamline container deployment for Perl.
    • Docker and the Docker logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Docker, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Docker, Inc. and other parties may also have trademark rights in other terms used herein. Kubernetes and the Kubernetes logo is a trademark of The Linux Foundation.

ACCESS POINTS: VM IMAGES

Virtually Painless

  • Virtual machine platforms are similar to containers for Perl purposes.
  • Each VM image contains the same application software as a container.
  • VM images also contain a full operating system and possibly settings to control virtual hardware devices.
  • VM platforms such as VirtualBox provide a virtually fool-proof deployment mechanism.
  • Almost no Perl apps currently provide VM images.
  • The goal is to streamline VM deployment for Perl.
    • The VMware, VirtualBox, Xen Project, KVM, and QEMU logos are copyright or trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners in the United States and/or other countries.

ACCESS POINTS: THE CLOUD

Atmosphere Of Ease

  • Cloud platforms may provide a blank slate to install & deploy Perl.
  • Cloud platforms may also provide pre-built systems for ease of use.
  • Any Perl installation or deployment mechanism may be used:
    • Manual Source Code Compilation
    • CPAN Distributions
    • Operating System Packages
    • Containers
    • Virtual Machine Images
  • Some Perl-friendly Cloud platforms already have a Perl SDK.
  • The goal is to streamline cloud deployment for Perl.
    • The AWS logo is a trademark of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. The Rackspace wordmark is a registered service mark / trademark of Rackspace US, Inc. in the United State and/or other countries. We are not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by Rackspace and/or its affiliates. The CloudForFree logo is copyright by William N. Braswell, Jr. in the United States and/or other countries.

EVENTS: ACCESSIBILITY CLINICS

Helping Others Help Themselves

  • Accessibility means making products & services easily accessible to people of all needs & abilities.
  • We are all affected by accessibility, either directly or indirectly.
  • The Perl community is actively working toward greater accessibility.
  • However, almost no up to date accessibility software exists for Perl.
  • The goal is to empower all users to access and benefit from Perl.

EVENTS: INSTALLFESTS

Download, Install, Repeat

  • Installfests are installation festivals, when a group of system administrators gather to help normal users install open source software.
  • Like hackathons, installfests are community-driven events.
  • Each installfest should get new users up and running with Perl.
  • Perl Monger groups must organize fun events with a unique character:
    • Pizza Party
    • Coffee & Soda
    • Sandwiches & Snacks
    • Good Power & Wifi
    • Readily-Available Software
    • Successful Installations
  • The goal is to organize semi-annual installfests in every major city.