On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 21:50:00 +1200, Nick Rout wrote:

> > I think some of this confusion is caused by the way people switch
> > between
> > two uses of the word stable. It can mean "doesn't crash", but then
> > most
> > upstream latest packages fit there, and some long standing releases
> > don't. It can also mean "not changing" and this is what some people
> > want
> > from a distribution. 
> 
> I think there is a third meaning with gentoo, namely when the ebuild is
> working well enough

This is not another meaning but a different context. People keep assuming
that the arch and ~arch alternatives refer to the package, when they only
refer to the ebuild.

> - this is independent of whether the upstream
> package is stable.(although it no doubt helps if it is). So you can have
> kde make a release (stable in their view) but gentoo takes some
> considerable time to make ebuilds that work acceptably, before they are
> marked stable (eg x86 cf ~x86)

It's not the time it takes to make them work acceptably, most of the KDE
3.4 ebuilds worked fine in the initial release. It is the time it takes
to prove that they are suitable for marking stable. The stable ebuild is
usually the same one that the ~arch users installed a month ago with no
problems.

Choosing between arch and ~arch is choosing whether you want someone else
to test things for you or whether you are prepared to do some of the work
yourself.


-- 
Neil Bothwick

Das Internet is nicht fuer gefingerclicken und giffengrabben. Ist easy
droppenpacket der routers und overloaden der backbone mit der spammen
und der me-tooen. Ist nicht fuer gewerken bei das dumpkopfen. Das
mausklicken sichtseeren keepen das bandwit-spewin hans in das pockets
muss; relaxen und watchen das cursorblinken.