Even better would be to have OS-specific packages based on Pd- extended, including Debian, RedHat, etc.
Seems that opinions are divided about this. I think it would be worth the effort, but it's entirely true that sooner or later, one will give up if the process to generate the packages comsumes too much time. But i recalled a system i once looked at. Never used it myself though. A dynamic apt repository builder... The author claims it can do a lot of work automaticly. And i know he's a nice guy, he might even help setting it up. Maybe it's worth to consider?
There is information about it on http://dag.wieers.com/home-made/dar/
Greetings, yvan