Bug#746715: the foreseeable outcome of the TC vote on init systems

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

Ansgar Burchardt writes ("Bug#746715: the foreseeable outcome of the TC vote on init systems"):
> Is there still anything left to discuss on tftp-hpa/upstart or could
> this issue be closed? The last upload restored support for upstart[1].
>   [1] <http://packages.qa.debian.org/t/tftp-hpa/news/20140504T133456Z.html>

Excellent.

I do think there is still something for the TC to do here.  As Andi
writes, the TC failed to clarify that we expect people to continue to
support multiple init systems.  Evidently this was a mistake.  It is
not too late to rectify it.

This is why I informally suggested this wording for a TC resolution:

    A maintainer recently peremptorily removed support for upstart
    from one of their packages.

    The Technical Committee thanks Steve Langasek for bringing this
    matter to our attention.  We are pleased that the maintainer has
    agreed to revert the disputed change.

    For the record, the TC expects maintainers to continue to support
    the multiple available init systems in Debian.  That includes
    merging reasonable contributions, and not reverting existing
    support without a compelling reason.

I deliberately don't name or criticise the maintainer.  I'm open to
suggestions for improvements to the wording, but I think what I have
in the final paragraph should be uncontroversial within the TC.

Ian.