Bug#740093: gpointing-device-settings: Should this package be removed?
Package: gpointing-device-settings
Version: 1.5.1-6
Severity: wishlist
Looking at the bugs in gpointing-device-settings, I think the package
could be removed instead of fixed.
This package is
* orphaned since 2010-10-05 (#599164)
* segfaulting on startup on some machines (#738569)
* FTBFS, possibly a bug in automake (#725593)
* FTBFS with gtk+-2.22: https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=631068
* Removed from testing since 2013-11-06.
On the other hand:
* 470 popcon votes (using, not just installed)
* Is in the stable release.
* The causes of a segfault and the non-automake FTBFS are known.
For mice, this gives a GUI for settings emulating a 3-button or
wheel-mouse. It also has touchpad settings. But even if those settings
are used, they're no longer reliable (#601178, #615092 #646444).
Reliable (but command-line) alternatives exist for this, as given in
those bug reports. When using a wheel-mouse, I can't find those options
in the more recent Gnome or KDE UIs, but they might only be shown if a
non-wheel mouse is attached.
Having asked on #debian:
<stevecotton> Please could someone tell me, does anyone use wheel-less mice any more?
<sney> wheel-less is the only option on some non-x86 arches
<sney> especially older machines with non-usb ports for input
This package also shows settings for graphics tablets, but those
definitely do have replacement UIs in recent Gnome and KDE.
Steve
Reply to: