Re: Bug#265762: ITP: tpop3d -- tpop3d is a fast, extensible, secure UNIX POP3 server

[Colin Watson <cjwatson@debian.org>]

On Sun, Aug 15, 2004 at 11:25:08PM +0100, Martin List-Petersen wrote:
> On Sun, 2004-08-15 at 20:27, Matthias Urlichs wrote:
> > Exactly, but that presupposes that the new packages are better than the
> > old ones ... which is exactly what the question is about: _Is_ the new
> > package better than any/all of the old ones, and why? You can't get an
> > answer to that question if people aren't allowed to ask it.
> > 
> > It's far easier to sort this out before a package enters Debian than
> > sometime afterwards. Additional hint: There's a reason why ITPs are
> > forwarded to d-d.
> 
> I've seen this more than often, that even though there is a
> description of the features etc. of the new package, the ITP submitter
> is being asked, if that package now really is necessary and that's the
> thing I think is where it goes wrong.
> 
> If it wasn't necessary (out of the point of view from the ITP
> submitter), he would not have submitted the ITP in the first place.

That's really not true. Sometimes people simply don't realize that
there's a better alternative. Perhaps we can advertise that alternative
better instead of having to support another package.

> Surely there is a reason, why ITPs are send to d-d, i just find
> criticizing an ITP (even though not personally aimed at the ITP
> submitter) highly discouraging.

I'm sorry if you find criticism discouraging, but keeping Debian's
quality high is important, and we shouldn't refrain from constructive
criticism in one area simply because there are problems in other areas.

Cheers,

-- 
Colin Watson                                  [cjwatson@flatline.org.uk]