Re: Bug#645850: lxc package debconf templates
Daniel Baumann wrote:
[...]
> i used '_Description: Linux Containers: LXC setup' which is in sync
> with what linux-container uses (Linux Containers: Container setup).
In that case linux-container probably needs some fixes to bring it in
line with DevRef 6.5.4.2.2.
(Just for a start, why is that package called "linux-container"
rather than "linux-containers"? Is it perhaps an unwise
abbreviation of "Linux Container tools"?)
> for lxc/auto, i used your suggested new short description and the
> second part of your suggested sentence in the long description,
> ending up with:
>
> _Description: Automatically start Linux Containers on boot?
> Linux Containers that have their configuration files copied or
> symlinked to the /etc/lxc/auto directory can be automatically started
> during system boot, and shut down on reboot or halt.
> .
> If unsure, choose yes (default).
See DevRef 6.5.2.4; some interfaces don't offer a "yes", just a
checkbox (and defaults can be changed by preseeding).
The problem with a phrasing that uses passives throughout is that it
isn't immediately obvious that it's offering to have them "started
and shut down" *automatically* but expecting the files to be "copied
or symlinked" *manually*.
We also need to be aware of the slight ambiguity in the term "Linux
Containers", which can either mean the LXC mechanism as a whole or the
individual containerised systems (some of which this template is
offering to manage automatically).
I would suggest splitting up the template into something like:
_Description: Automatically start Linux Containers on boot?
Please choose whether appropriately configured Linux Containers should
be automatically started during system boot, and shut down on reboot or
halt.
.
To take advantage of this, copy or symlink their configuration files
into the /etc/lxc/auto directory.
I'm still not sure I understand this, though. If it only affects
containers that have been manually "opted in", why is it necessary to
ask this question? Why not just put it in the README that containers
with config files in /etc/lxc/auto will automatically be started on
boot?
> so i used all there could be used. the rest of your suggested
> changes are just wrong. the package does not do what you suggested
> it to say. it does what i described originally.
If we managed to misunderstand what the template was asking, that's
a danger sign that some of your users (installing the package for
the first time) were likely to find it confusing too.
It would have been handy if you'd been able to point out this
misunderstanding during the call-for-comments stage of the d-l-e
review. While I personally don't mind rehashing the review process,
some of our l18n contributors may see it as wasted effort.
--
JBR with qualifications in linguistics, experience as a Debian
sysadmin, and probably no clue about this particular package
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