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

Wed Oct 6 16:25:13 CEST 2010

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+were, except for Netbeans which is out-of-date in cooker, all provided in 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
+