Autopackage is another effort to standardize and ease installation on Linux and eliminate dependency hell, the notable other that I know of being Zero-Install. Since I use Mandrake Linux, the main software management tool I use is their URPMI, which is nice for a quick and easy install — IF the program you want has been packaged by someone. Even if you get that lucky, though, it’s usually out of date.

Autopackage looks exciting (at least at first glance) because it allows for a single binary, cross-distribution installation package with the possibility of downloading and installing necessary dependencies. I’m not clear, however, on how it resolves dependencies if they don’t use a centralized server for finding dependencies. I’ll have to take a closer look when I have more time. Encouraging is that GAIM and GIMP have already started releasing packages using this framework. A usable installer with easy dependency resolution is key to bringing desktop Linux to the next level.