Re: Backports…

[Andreas Tille <andreas@an3as.eu>]

On Sat, Feb 19, 2011 at 01:16:11PM +0900, Charles Plessy wrote:
>  a) When a package migrates to Testing, we backport if if we have time and
>     motivation (in particular, user requests).

I'd regard a user request as a reasonable motivation.  I would be much more
motivated by users I know to some extend from postings on the mailing list
than by Joe Newuser who just asks for a backport without giving any reasons
for his application of the backport.
 
>  b) We backport only packages that have spent extra time in Testing, as our
>     userbase is small and 10 days in Sid provides only a stochastic possibilty
>     that bugs are found before migration.

I'd be more motivated by the request of a (known in the sense above) user
than by the fact that a package has survived in testing for some time.
 
> Given that backports consume extra time, I also wonder if it is sustainable for
> us to backport many packages.

I admit I'm personally not very motivated to do backports.  I admit that
backports has some relevance but it is just not that challenging to gain
my main attraction.  If there would be a volunteer who is willing to care
for Debian Med backports in general I would really welcome this.

> But let's see this positively: if we backport
> mostly upon user request (counting ourselves as users, of course), it means
> that we establish a communication channel with our users.

Yes.
 
> If this discussion is fruitful, I propose to add its conclusions to our web
> site, to inform our users about what they can expect, and how they can hint.

Yes, for sure this should be documented.

Kind regards

     Andreas.

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