Bug#689230: virtuoso 7.1 to Debian proper [Was: Bug#689230: new version is needed!]

[Kjetil Kjernsmo <kjetil@kjernsmo.net>]

Hi all!

I was wondering if there's any progress on the effort on getting Virtuoso 7 
into  Debian proper? 

Jessie freezes soon, so it'll have to happen very soon now, if it is to go 
in. If it has to go through the NEW queue, my guess is that it is already 
too late.

However, we have the word of the person who wrote the NEPOMUK code that 
relied on Virtuoso 6.1 that Virtuoso 7 should work and does work for him for 
this original purpose. Moreover, it is in the process of being removed from 
there.

My suggestion is therefore to upload Virtuoso not as a new package, merely a 
new version, to unstable as fast as possible. There is the 10 day delay 
before it goes to testing, and if no problems have been noticed during that 
time, then great, it is likely not to cause any further problems. If it 
causes RC bugs, it will not make it to testing, and then Jessie will be 
released with 6.1.6. 

Alternatively, a more conservative approach is to upload 6.1.8 to unstable, 
and 7.1 to experimental. If no problems occurs with 6.1.8, it is likely that 
the assumption that exactly 6.1.6 is required is wrong, then 6.1.8 makes it 
to testing, and then 7.1 can be uploaded to unstable, and see if it makes 
the successful transition organically. 

But there is very little time left now. I must admit that I don't have that 
strong interest in Virtuoso now, but it is clearly important for the 
Semantic Web, which I do have a strong interest in,and I think it is 
important that we have the best tools available in Debian. I therefore hope 
those who do have a strong interest in Virtuoso can commit some time to it 
now.

Best,

Kjetil