Re: [Debian account] I request your attention

[Brian May <bam@debian.org>]

>>>>> "Anthony" == Anthony Towns <aj@azure.humbug.org.au> writes:

    Anthony> On Sat, Aug 04, 2001 at 12:13:02PM +1000, Brian May
    Anthony> wrote:
    >> I agree with you. Otherwise, if nobody could be bothered
    >> keeping to reasonable minimum standards where would that leave
    >> Debian? An extreme example: "Oh, sorry, I know about the 'rm
    >> -rf /' bug in my postrm script, I might fix it next week if I
    >> get time..."

    Anthony> And if someone said that, anyone else who cared even
    Anthony> slightly about the package would NMU it, and everyone
    Anthony> would be happy.

So your saying it is OK to do an NMU without asking the maintainer?

If I misread you, and you do think you should ask the maintainer
first, What is he/she says NO?

Wouldn't it have been better, in the previous example, if the
maintainer said "Oh, sorry, I don't have time right now, perhaps
somebody could fix it for me via an NMU...". Perhaps even putting such
a message in the BTS[1]?

It takes no extra effort from the volunteer to type in the different
message, but saves everyone a lot of hassle, as it means you can
conduct an NMU immediately, without trying to send another message
asking for permission, and keeping track of how long it was since the
last reply.

Thats what I think when I mean minimum volunteer standards. I expect
that a) volunteers will not do anything on purpose to wreck my
computer, reputation, etc, b) volunteers can use a bit of common sense
now and again.

However, on the other hand, as a volunteer, I expect to make mistakes,
and hope others will be understanding when I do make mistakes. In
return, I will freely admit to my mistakes, and not try to conceal the
fact that I did make a mistake.

So, getting back to the original debate, if lots of people agree that
the new Debian developers process is a problem, then we need to do
something to try and fix it. So perhaps the word "demand" was a bit
harsh, but I think we should be able to expect that something
eventually will get done to fix the problem, assuming that it is
reasonably possible, and worth the efforts involved.

Note:
[1] Taking this an extra step further, maybe they could be some status
page for different packages, which are configurable by the maintainer,
with instructions for NMUs, eg: I don't have time right now, please
NMU any fixes you might find and send me the patch, or: Please NMU any
grave bugs in my package and send me the patch, or: I don't want
anyone to do an NMU on my package, please send the patch and wait for
me to respond. AFAIK, this would be different from WNPP, in that it
is for potential problems in the future, not current problems.
-- 
Brian May <bam@debian.org>