[debiandev]

DD here. The main "barrier" is the level of quality required.

Simply throwing a bunch of files into a package or a container is very quick.

Making an official Debian package is not supposed to be quick. DDs thoroughly review and test the software they are packaging. While packaging I often chase missing licensing information, find plenty of bugs, write systemd unit/init files and sandboxing, write manpages, functional tests, and sometimes find serious vulnerabilities.

I worked on various packaging and deploying systems, and most other distributions don't come anywhere close to this level of scrutiny.

I should also add that becoming a DD requires years of commitment and proven track record of work.

The next time someone complains that making a container is very easy in comparison they should ask themselves: how much can I trust a software source with a very low entry bar?

[GoblinSlayer]

Gatekeeping is the goal of debian packaging documentation? Right, that goal is certainly perfectly achieved.

[debiandev]

huh?

[LadyCailin]

I think the point they’re trying to make is that having a high barrier to entry should be accomplished through means other than having a hard or confusing barrier to entry.