nigelk - yes, it think using Package Repos exclusively would be a win for Puppet. Fewer install options to confuse new users, simpler support model for your developers.

BTW I do use your repositories. For me, they have proven to be more reliable than the Gem install.

One of the things I like about Vagrant's installer is that he packages an embedded ruby version and installs it at /opt/vagrant/embedded. Vagrant plugins are installed at /opt/vagrant/embedded/gems. (using 'vagrant gem') This is sweet, because the whole Vagrant environment is isolated from the rest of the system.

By contrast, the Puppet installer depends on a system ruby. It puts ruby 1.8.7 on my path, which I don't want. Then I've got to take special effort not to use it or corrupt it. Yukk.

So if I were King - Puppet would use Package Repos exclusively, and depend on its own isolated/embedded Ruby.