On Fri, Mar 29, 2002 at 10:28:50AM -0600, Manoj Srivastava wrote:
> >>"Anthony" == Anthony Towns <aj@azure.humbug.org.au> writes:
> Anthony> Personally, I don't see putting stuff in policy as removing
> Anthony> lattitude. See also http://bugs.debian.org/102213 .
> That has other problems. What may happen then, since policy
> becomes optional with a note in a README,
No, policy does not become optional with a note in the README. Policy
becomes optional only when what it suggests is technically wrong in the
given situation. We're not here to codify random opinions, we're here
to document ways of packaging that are technically _better_.
If it turns out one of things we put in policy _isn't_ technically better,
well, it's much better that developers do what _is_ technically better
than blindly follow rules like brainless automatons.
> Making policy optional,and using that to include
> non-technical, trivial, and unnecesary detials into policy is a
> stupendously bad idea.
Good thing that's not the idea being talked about then, isn't it?
> Anthony> Good advice on packaging issues is always helpful, and
> Anthony> afaict, policy is the best place for it. The
> I beg to differ. Policy is not a HOWTO manual. Policy is a set
> of rules that we need to follow to allow integration.
Actually, it's the policy requirements for the Debian GNU/Linux
distribution, and includes design issues, and technical requirements
of packages. Integration issues aren't the sole or even necessarily the
primary subject matter.
The contents of /usr/share/doc/<foo>/copyright aren't integration issues,
eg, but they are policy issues.
> Why not go ahead and put into policy indentation rules?
Because indentation style doesn't affect users.
> How about variable naming conventions?
> Or insisting on everyone using dbs+debhelper,
> since it is evident that debhelper at least is wildly popular and
> debhelper+dbs cover vast majority of packages?
Likewise. Short descriptions, on the other hand, do affect users.
But by the looks of things you've already gone into defensive rhetoric
mode, so there's probably still no chance of actually discussing this,
so just forget I said anything. Geez.
Cheers,
aj
--
Anthony Towns <aj@humbug.org.au> <http://azure.humbug.org.au/~aj/>
I don't speak for anyone save myself. GPG signed mail preferred.
Vote [1] Bdale!
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