Timothy Murphy writes:
 > I wonder if it would not be possible
 > to lay down a fairly strict protocol
 > governing "acceptable" packages,
 > so that one could automate downloading?
 >
very much so. our friend Joachim Schrod was once specifying this, but
it never got off the ground. my rules would be:

 - general applicability ( :-} )
 - no duplication of functionality
 - works with any or all of other packages in collection (within
    reason)
 - uses fixed directory structure and file names to allow automated
    updating
 - comes with documentation and test file (if possible)

Sebastian