Re: Bug#119517: pcmcia-cs: cardinfo binary needs to move into a separate package

[Ian Jackson <ian@davenant.greenend.org.uk>]

Ian Jackson writes ("Re: Bug#119517: pcmcia-cs: cardinfo binary needs to move into a separate package"):
> We haven't ever been here before, but it seems to me that the best
> course of action would be to formulate a resolution overruling the
> pcmcia-cs maintainer's decision and vote on it.  If it fails, we have
> at least cleared the question off our books.

No-one has objected, so we should take this route.

I therefore hereby propose the following two alternative versions of a
resolution for this issue:

 Version A (my favourite):

  1. It is generally bad for programs to fail due to run-time
     linkage failures, in most cases.  There may however be other
     tradeoffs involved that make this a reasonable choice.

  2. In this particular case, splitting the package introduces a level
     of administration and other overhead which outweighs the minor
     ugliness of the run-time linker error message.

  3. We therefore agree with the package maintainer that pcmcia-cs
     should remain one package, with cardinfo included.

  4. The bug report should be closed with no action.

 Version B (Anthony and Manoj, I think):

  1. It is generally bad for programs to fail due to run-time
     linkage failures, in most (if not all) cases.

  2. In this particular case there are no countervailing tradeoffs
     that legitimise the behaviour.  In particular, the alternative
     solution of splitting the package has no significant problems
     that are relevant.

  3. We therefore agree with the submitter that pcmcia-cs should be
     split, with cardinfo being put into a separate binary.  We
     recommend or direct that the maintainer do so.

  4. The bug report should be reassigned to the pcmcia-cs package.

I hope I've captured everyone's opinions, and the substance of our
disagreement, accurately.  If not, please propose an amendment to
version A or B, or at least complain and I'll try to draft it for you.

If the wordings seem good, I'll call for a vote.

Ian.


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