A bug is years old. It will probably not be fixed. It should probably not be fixed. It is probably not even a bug.
The bug's submitter is not complaining.
Why is the bug still open?
Example: #619363. [1]
1: https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=619363
If I were the maintainer, I believe that I would have closed a bug like this. The actual maintainer however (now emeritus) is smarter than me. He did not close it. This suggests that he knew something I do not understand about proper bug handling.
I cannot find the answer in Developer's Reference, sect. 5.8.
I am confused. What should I learn from this example about proper bug handling, please?
(For information, I am thinking of adopting the package in question, orphaned six months. I am however reluctant to begin by closing bugs the old, smart maintainer saw fit to leave open. I am not the best possible maintainer for this package, but no one else is maintaining it. This is why I ask advice.)
Attachment:
signature.asc
Description: Digital signature