[Mageia-dev] How will be the realese cycle?

[Buchan Milne]

On Wednesday, 6 October 2010 03:39:04 Fernando Parra wrote:
> On Tue, 05 Oct 2010 08:00:46 -0400
> 
> Sinner from the Prairy <sinnerbofh-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w at public.gmane.org> 
wrote:
> > Juan Luis Baptiste wrote:
> > > On Mon, Oct 4, 2010 at 7:40 PM, Fernando Parra
> > > 
> > > <gato2707-/E1597aS9LQGXtTpemXPTA at public.gmane.org> wrote:
> > >> A different approach could be a "light rolling distro", let me
> > >> explain. A distro with a selected number of programs updated regular
> > >> as their new versions are available.
> > > 
> > > That's what backports are for, no need for a "light rolling distro",
> > > just contribute and help doing the backports for different Mageia
> > > versions if you really want them. That's what I do and it was one of
> > > the main reasons to become a contrib packager :)
> > 
> > I totally agree with both Juan Luis Baptiste and Buchan Milne.
> > 
> > No rolling release!
> > 
> > This is just a fancy word.
> > 
> > But then, the "goals" of "rolling release" are already accomplished with
> > the current Mandriva system, and I hope Mageia will keep this
> > functionality:
> > 
> > backports
> > 
> > Probably, what needs to happen is to publicize more backports for
> > advanced/cutting edge/rolling users instead of changing something that is
> > not broken.
> > 
> > Salut,
> > Sinner
> > 
> > That's maybe a solution, backports, but let me be less ambiguous about a
> > different model.
> 
> When a expert group are working in a re-engineering process at any company,
> the first wall that they need to broke is: "Oh, but, this is the way in we
> work since... ¡and it's works fine for us!

Sometimes the consultants aren't aware of all the attempts that were made to 
fix the issue in the past, and the reasons for their failure, and end up 
recommending solutions that are doomed to fail unless other conditions change.

> In the same way the backport method (called different as different distros
> are in this world) is the same since... ¡and it works fine for us!

You didn't reply to my response to your list of favourite applications, which 
were, except for Netbeans which is out-of-date in cooker, all provided in 
backports.

So, why did you not use the packages from backports? Was it because the 
concept is flawed? Or, is it because backports aren't advertised well enough to 
users?

Let's first understand the problem completely before re-engineering to fix a 
problem that doesn't exist ...

> Mageia are trying to be different than other distros (as I understand).
> Unfortunately I only have read a lot of answers told me why no (thanks to
> all of you), but any of them made any improvement to my idea, as well
> there aren't any alternative way.

First you need to articulate why the current Mandriva method is not working 
for you.

> When Mandriva was madded first time, its goal was to be a very user
> friendly distro; a Linux for non technical people. But at now there are a
> new world with a lot of distros with the same goal. For this reason we
> must do our new way.
> 
> In example:
> 
> For the same reasons that I have read here, a lot of users never turn on a
> backport repository, with hundreds of packages inside it, but maybe if
> there is another repository called "top 10" or something like that
> (remember I proposed run a poll), these hypothetical users may turn on
> that repository.

This is quite difficult, as different users have different perceptions of what 
their top 10 packages are. I don't use netbeans or gambas2 or lazarus or 
openshot, and hardly ever use wine.

For me, the important packages at the moment are:
-xbmc (backported)
-lensfun (backported, by me)
-digikam (backported, by me)
-openldap (backported, usually by me)
-pioneers (backported)
-quassel (backported)
-qtcreator (not backported, but I am using NokiaQtSDK at present)

> Are there countries with a expensive rates or a slow dial-up connections?

There are many countries where there is insufficient fixed-line infrastructure 
for low-cost internet access. In South Africa, although I worked for a Telco, 
I could never get DSL (due to cable theft). Mobile broadband was the only 
option, starting at R2/MB (approx US$0.30/MB), or maybe R0.20/MB (approx 
US$0.03/MB on 2GB/month package).

ADSL penetration is about 1-2%, cellphone penetration is over 80%, mobile 
broadband penetration is about 10%.

Even on ADSL, many subscribers are on a 2GB (R200, or approx $70 per month) or 
3GB/month package (other packages are available, and topup is possible).

(However, I run a Mandriva mirror which is available after users are capped, 
but running Mandriva updates could prevent you from accessing Google, 
Facebook, using skype etc.)

You can find some (outdated, but still useful) statistics on internet access 
and pricing here:

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/int_pri_bas_for_int_us_per_mon-price-basket-
us-per-month


> Surely they are more comfortable with Mageia knowing that they don't need
> to download a 700 MB each six months (surely more if they need to install
> more applications) cause they only need the next version of...

I download once, and update 5 machines, and often provide media to other users 
in SA.

> No other distro has an feature like this, it probably become a better offer
> in a very fragmented and competitive world of GNU / Linux distros.

Hm, you need to explain this "feature" in much more detail, and indicate all 
the pros/cons over the Mandriva style.

> I don't want to create any more controversial. I only need one thing of
> you: Before answer me why not. Made a question to your self: What if...?

What if more people actually contributed ...

/me gets back to working on some Mageia infrastructure.

Regards,
Buchan

Maintainer of these packages:
http://maint.mandriva.com/listpkgs.php?owner=14