Re: Broken/Obsolete packages - I think we can do better.
On Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:56:44 -0500 (CDT)
"Timothy Legg" <debianuser@timothylegg.com> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I wish to bring up something that bothers me.
>
> I just installed a stable Debian package that advertises to perform so
> many wonderful tasks, but in reality, it does little more than provide an
> attractive graphical interface for a segmentation fault.
>
> I searched google and indeed found others that had this problem with this
> package. I also found out that this problem was solved a couple years ago
> in a newer version. Unfortunately, Debian is still delivering a
> broken-out-of-the-box version of this package.
>
> -------
>
> I feel that this issue reflects a need for the Debian team to enforce a
> higher standard on functionality and reliability of the packages that are
> available in the family of stable packages.
>
> I believe there should be a stronger system where broken, non-functional
> or obsolete package are weeded out as they make Debian appear broken and
> unstable. At minimum, a voting system where users can rate up or down
> packages at packages.debian.org or some other feedback to warn or
> encourage prospective users.
If it's as broken as you say, there ought to be a bug of 'grave'
severity filed against the package (whether or not a fixed version is
available). Is there? If so, that would be a release-critical bug,
which should prevent the package from entering stable, and should warn
anyone against installing it.
Celejar
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