Re: [gentoo-dev] making metadata.xml pay off and removing pkg_postinst crud

[matt c]

>From: "Zack Gilburd" <klasikahl@g.o>
>Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2003 8:06 PM
>Subject: Re: [gentoo-dev] Gentoo 1.4 final against rc's

>This notion has been expressed over and over again -- and it's a very good
>one.  I, too, think that Gentoo should move away from the concept of
>definitive releases.  However, it would be very hard to distinguish
landmark
>releases from eachother without some sort of versioning system.
<snip>

I think that's the point though - Gentoo does not have a versioning system,
nor does it need one. It is an OS in constant metamorphosis. It's like
telling people "I'm 30 years old" - you're not really 30, you're 30 years, 5
months, 2 days, etc.

>I really have no ideas on how else it should be done, but it does need a
>change.  Some users feel obligated to reinstall, and do so needlessly.

I think that's because Gentoo is trying to use a versioning system that is
applied to other "set" operating systems - set implying specific versions of
binaries getting shipped with the packaged OS, and these are updated en
masse each version. To have the latest release you DO have to upgrade with
upgrade CDs or other like ilk.

 The ONLY set packaged OS Gentoo has (AFAIK) are the stages. Perhaps instead
of calling it Gentoo 1.4 it should be something like Gentoo Stage1-1.4, etc.
Gentoo LiveCD-1.4. Change the install documentation to point out that the
install images are the only thing getting changed each version increment,
and that each time they do an --update world they are effectively getting
the latest version of gentoo. Calling it Gentoo 1.4 is a really a misnomer
and is also misleading.

(Puts 2 cents in tip jar)

Matt




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