Update release management
Hello,
I apologise if this is considered off-topic - might be barking up the
wrong tree in the wrong forest here - but bringing up an old issue here
of release frequency, once the transition to using package pools and the
new debian-installer is done, would it be reasonable to expect Debian
releases more often - say, once every quarter like FreeBSD already does?
The comparison with FreeBSD is rather apt as both are community projects
working on whole OSes, although FreeBSD has a principal sponsor (BSDi,
then WindRiver) and positions itself more commercially than does Debian
(selling official CDs) and thus perhaps having more to benefit from
frequent releases?
That asides, with the avalanches of release in the last few days (RH
7.1, Mdk 8.0, FreeBSD 4.3) leading me to think about the future of
Debian - note that last week also sees the update of the Unofficial
Debian CD sets (by Attila Nagy - many thanks!), one sets to ponder
certain points of matter:
- it should be easier maintaining the new modular installer in-between
releases (considering the present one looks very much similar to
FreeBSD's spartan interface, and *that* installer has not changed in
ages it seems, it would be nice if our next installer can be that
dependable)
- Package pools allowing easy roll-out of custom-made mini-distributions
Take the two together and certain possibilities arise:
1. Frequent releases made possible for the benefit of people without
blazing-fast connection
2. This frequent release should allow Debian to generate more revenue
3. A sort of package rating system, allowing a core nucleus of important
libraries and programs to coalesce. Since these packages are those most
likely to change and thus most noticeable when they become out of date,
having frequent releases would help, and doing so would be easier with
less packages to concentrate bug-fixing on
4. Inter-release update CDs could be issued ala Microsoft's Service
Packs with updated packages only - so it might depend on previous
release CDs. Should be simple enough to automate, does not even need an
installer.
I am sure all these points have been raised before, or even seem obvious
and if anyone think this posting is a waste of time and space, my
apologies. Just thought to appease my curiousity about Debian's future
plans since I am in the process of joining it.
Warm regards,
--
Michèl Alexandre Salim
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