Re: [gnu.misc.discuss,gnu.emacs.gnus] Free software: Packagers vs Developers
Hi,
Since this whole discussion has been stated by Gnues, and I am
the maintainer, I feel constrained to answer for this case
>>"Adam" == Adam Di Carlo <adam@onshore.com> writes:
Adam> * join the mailing list for the software you are packaging. Be an
Adam> active participant.
I have been on the Gnus list since the very beginning. I am nt
very active, unless I find bugs, being content to just watch the
software evolve.
Adam> * try to keep diff size not in the debian subdir very small (not to
Adam> say you should revert to applying patches as part of the build
Adam> process). Send patches upstream when they are not Debian
Adam> specific. And keep sending them!
There are no not ./debian diffs.
Adam> * if you get a bug report, make a quick judgement whether it's a
Adam> Debian bug or an upstream bug. If it's an upstream bug, then
Adam> *before* you start whacking on code, notify the upstream
Adam> maintainer of the bug (and whether you intend to patch for it).
Adam> This involves the upstream maintainer in the process of fixing
Adam> problems, ensures they get timely information while the bug is
Adam> fresh in everyone's mind, and lets the maintainer participate in
Adam> design decisions about how things should be fixed.
I have had little problem with bug reports (there are n
technical bugs open on Gnus that I am aware of). I generally mediate
in bug repoirting, and ensure that there is enough information in the
report, and *always* pass reports unchanged upstream (apart from
adding information about the system)
Adam> * if you have a major integration feature that you're thinking about
Adam> implementing in your package, let the upstream maintainer know
Adam> what you are doing. They might have ideas on how to generalize
Adam> the solution so *all* users benefit.
Not applicable
Adam> * do not change dot-config file formats or filename except under
Adam> *extreme* conditions of duress (i.e., security issues?). Definately
Adam> notify upstream maintainers before doing this. Remember that some
Adam> people share their home dirs and dot-configs between many operating
Adam> systems and machines.
Not guilty
Adam> * exercise the principle of least suprise
The soon to be released Gnus is a major rewrite, and there are
surprises. I used the unstable version to field test teh new version,
and it took a couple of releases to work out the new dependencies and
conflicts. I still stand by my relese of Pterodactyl Gnus into
unstable.
Adam> * remember that upstream maintainers know their software better, and
Adam> in more varied circumstances, than you do
I have no doubt. But then, I suspect that as a systems
architect and integrator, I hold a better positiopn, and I know
Debian better than they do.
manoj
--
I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them. Isaac Asimov
Manoj Srivastava <srivasta@debian.org> <http://www.debian.org/%7Esrivasta/>
Key C7261095 fingerprint = CB D9 F4 12 68 07 E4 05 CC 2D 27 12 1D F5 E8 6E
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