Policy on Neverball

[limdingwen]

Output of brew config

HOMEBREW_VERSION: 3.6.16-97-ge76c55e
ORIGIN: https://github.com/Homebrew/brew
HEAD: e76c55e18434c870cca1de7aadf9d5218271fe2d
Last commit: 3 days ago
Core tap ORIGIN: https://github.com/Homebrew/homebrew-core
Core tap HEAD: b86c42a3b72271d0ff1c7b7e6257feb63290f427
Core tap last commit: 2 days ago
Core tap branch: master
HOMEBREW_PREFIX: /opt/homebrew
HOMEBREW_CASK_OPTS: []
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Homebrew Ruby: 2.6.8 => /System/Library/Frameworks/Ruby.framework/Versions/2.6/usr/bin/ruby
CPU: octa-core 64-bit arm_firestorm_icestorm
Clang: 13.1.6 build 1316
Git: 2.32.1 => /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/usr/bin/git
Curl: 7.79.1 => /usr/bin/curl
macOS: 12.4-arm64
CLT: 14.2.0.0.1.1668646533
Xcode: 13.4.1
Rosetta 2: false

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Description of issue

I would like to start a discussion on the policy of Neverball. It seems that currently, the app is unable to be added to Homebrew in any way.

Option 1: Adding to Homebrew Core

In this option, we create a formula to build Neverball from source, and host the resulting binary on Homebrew infra. However, formulae are not allowed to build GUI, or app bundles, so this is not an option.

Option 2: Adding to Homebrew Casks, from the official website

This is the correct option, however upstream does not seem to be responding to requests to update the official website with the latest Mac builds. The current Mac build on the official website is now so old, it no longer runs (I believe it's compiled for PowerPC).

Option 3: Adding to Homebrew Casks, from a non-official source

This is forbidden by Cask policy due to the risk. Currently, builds by @xif-fr are hosted here, and I mirror their builds here.

Option 4: Adding Nuncabola to Homebrew Casks

This seems to be the best option from my perspective, because it contains no policy changes or exceptions. Nuncabola is a Java alternative to Neverball, and is referenced by the Neverball website as an alternative to the Mac download (though why they do not host the 1.6.0 version is lost on me).

Option 5: Adding to Homebrew Casks, using some sort of infrastructure managed by Homebrew

In this option, Homebrew maintainers will build Neverball from source and host it on a trusted infra, which will then be added to Casks. Is there any precendence of this happening?

[SMillerDev]

If upstream doesn't support the app on macOS Homebrew won't either. If it doesn't meet all the criteria for inclusion there's not much brew can do about it. I recommend contacting upstream and asking them how to install on Mac.

[limdingwen]

I'll take a look at Option 4, in that case, if I have the time.

[p-linnane]

Option 6: Host it in your own tap.