Part of me says push now, as there are several serious
reports
still open
regarding removable disk mounting and handling. On the other hand
are
already starting to lose people to XFCE because the current stable
TDE
version requires HAL and does not work with the latest network-
manager versions.
Thoughts?
Regarding cmake 2.8.12, that is and should be a Blocker bug report -
-- but not a blocker for R14. We add a note in the release README
(refer to etherpad) that we are aware of the issue and offer
packagers a temporary work-around similar to that suggested by Fat-
Zer. At least two people should test a formal patch, then we attach
the patch to the bug report and reference the bug report in the
README.
Regarding the delays with rebuilding Debian/Ubuntu packages. The
presumption seems open to debate whether all of these package sets
have to be built on the Trinity servers. At a pace of 18 days the
realization is the servers lack the capacity.
Likewise the presumption that all of these package sets must be
built --- and mirrored --- before announcing the release.
We have so few people participating in development and packaging. I
don't know why package sets need to be built on the Trinity
servers. Why not by individual participants and then uploaded?
Moreso, rather than one bulk release, why not offer package sets
progressively as they are built and mirrored? Issue press releases
as each package set becomes available --- a simple public relations
strategy that keeps Trinity in the news, let alone relieves serious
tension and pressure to have all package sets built at one time.
The initial press release merely states that additional package
sets are forthcoming.
If build scripts and tarballs are available in the official release
announcement, then others can get involved.
Until then serious triage is needed of what to support.
Unlike previous releases, the sticky part of R14 is the significant
number of renaming and branding changes. As the old adage goes, we
only get one chance to create a first impression.
We never developed any kind of release test plan. We hobbled along
only through feedback by the few of us participating. We've done
okay, but for example, we have not performed largescale testing of
the r14-xdg-update script. Slavek and I tested but we are only two
people with two different usage perspectives. That one script has
the potential to destroy first impressions.
My personal usage of R14 indicates no serious problems. Yet I don't
use every single package nor do I use all apps every day. I'm sure
there are hidden bugs as a result of the massive renaming and
branding changes. I'm not worried about these types of bugs.
My primary concern is not bug reports like cmake 2.8.12, but
fundamental desktop usability. The desktop is the sole location
where users and reviewers form their first impressions. While long-
term Trinity users will tolerate bugs, reviewers and new users will
not. Of those types of reports listed in the etherpad, I see the
following that should be resolved immediately:
1761 tdevelop FTBFS with recent (t)qassistantclient patches
1759 R14 FTBFS with cmake 2.8.12 --- only test a formal patch
providing a temporary work-around
1733 Launcher menu (T-Menu) takes a long time to appear the first
time using Alt+F1
1729 KOffice: Applications crash on logout
Get those reports resolved and release R14.
Long term, as noted, we will never resolve all bug reports in a
timely manner. That kind of focus is part of maintenance releases.
We establish an etherpad wish list for each maintenance release
period. The bugzilla supports voting. Nothing fancy needed here.
Short term we focus on triage and develop a reasonable release pace
for various distro packages.
I believe that after we release R14.0.0, and users migrate from
3.5.x to R14, the bulk of the effort is behind us. We then focus on
a maintenance release schedule where we no longer are distracted by
the pressure of big announcements and big pushes. With maintenance
releases we are able to move along at a steady pace. We just need
to get past the big hump now known as R14.0.0. :-)
Darrell