Bug#688772: gnome Depends network-manager-gnome

[Ian Jackson <ijackson@chiark.greenend.org.uk>]

>From the IRC meeting:
>   * ACTION: dondelelcaro to follow this up with the gnome maintainers to
>     get a clear argument from the GNOME maintainers about why this
>     *must* be a depends and not a recommends  (dondelelcaro, 18:08:51)

I don't know if this was followed up, but there still doesn't seem to
be any such clear argument as far as I'm aware.

Here is a revised version of my draft resolution.  I have incorporated
all the comments and weakened and/or removed the "political"
paragraphs dealing with the maintainers' behaviour.  The only comment
I have rejected is the one suggesting a smaller version of what is now
para.8.  I have introduced a new para.4 mentioning the lack of
convincing reasons for the dependency.

Is there anyone who is unhappy with the draft below ?

Ian.


Whereas

1. The TC notes the decision of the meta-gnome maintainers to
   implement our decision in #681834 by:
    (a) softening the dependency in the gnome-core metapackage
        from Depends to Recommends, as required
    (b) adding a new dependency in the gnome metapackage,
        as a Depends.  (In squeeze, this is where the dependency
        was, but it was a Recommends.)

2. Our intent, as stated in the rationale section of our previous
   decision (#681834, paras 3 and 5), is that squeeze users who have
   gnome installed but not network-manager do not find that
   network-manager becomes installed when they upgrade to wheey.

3. The actions of the meta-gnome maintainers do not achieve this
   objective.

4. Insofar as any reasons have been advanced for the meta-gnome
   maintainer's decision, we do not find them convincing.

5. A Recommends from gnome to network-manager-gnome would serve no
   purpose in wheezy as gnome Depends on gnome-core which already
   Recommends network-manager-gnome.

Therefore

6. We overrule the decision of the meta-gnome maintainers to add a
   dependency from gnome to network-manager-gnome.  This dependency
   should be removed.

7. We request that the Release Team unblock update(s) to meta-gnome so
   that our decisions may be implemented in wheezy.

8. We specifically forbid anyone from introducing in wheezy, or
   in sid until wheezy is released:
    a. Any new or enhanced dependencies, or any other mechanisms,
       which increase the likelihood of network-manager being
       installed;
    b. Any new or enhanced user-facing warnings, imprecations, or
       other kinds of message regarding the alleged desirability or
       requirement to install network-manager;
    c. Any change which in any way impairs (or further impairs) the
       functioning of systems with GNOME components installed but
       without network-manager;
    d. Any change which is contrary to the spirit or intent of either
       our previous resolution in #681834 or this resolution.
   without first obtaining the permission of at least one member of
   the Technical Committee.

Furthermore

9. It is disappointing that this proposed solution to the problem was
   not mentioned during the TC discussion.  If it had been, it could
   have been accepted or rejected by the TC at the time.

10. We remind everyone that the Constitution requires members of the
   project not to work against decisions properly made according to
   the project's governance processes.  On this occasion we do not
   feel it necessary to refer anyone to the Debian Account Managers
   asking for a review of their status.