Proposal: include p7zip-full in ubuntu-restricted-extras metapackage

[Conn O Griofa]

Binary package hint: ubuntu-restricted-extras

I suggest that for the upcoming Karmic release, we include p7zip-full in the ubuntu-restricted-extras metapackage.

Justification:
1. The 7z format (an implementation of the LZMA algorithm) is one of the most efficient compression algorithms for end-users (in terms of the balance between efficiency and CPU/memory usage). It is already in our repository patent-unencumbered, and usually surpasses the efficiency of RAR (which is more efficient than bzip2 and gzip, but patent-encumbered).
2. Users who install "restricted" packages are more likely to exchange media with users from other operating systems. Since WinRAR is the most ubiquitous *third-party* archiver on Windows (that also supports the 7z format natively), we are improving the user experience by including the capability to exchange common archive formats.
3. Related to the previous point: the p7zip-full package (as opposed to the p7zip package) supports other formats such as RAR. Patent concerns are unnecessary (as this package is already included within our universe repository).
4. GNOME's official archive manager (file-roller) will automatically detect the presence of the command-line p7zip binaries when they are installed, and offer support to compress and decompress archives within its interface - no extra work is required for this integration.
5. By introducing the 7z format to a wider audience, perhaps this will accelerate efforts for Ubuntu to implement the dpkg-lzma blueprint (which would allow for the p7zip package to be included on the Live CD - though this is a subject for a different bug). See: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/dpkg-lzma

For an ongoing discussion on the Ubuntu Forums, see this thread: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1165142

[Col1023 (ccullchuchk)]

7z also supports archive splitting which is VERY useful for archives larger than 4GB, and as many cross platform drives still use FAT32, this feature is used to move archives >4GB across to FAT32 drives.