Re: [gentoo-project] Re: [gentoo-dev-announce] call for agenda items, council meeting 8/13

[Aaron Bauman]

On Tuesday, August 1, 2017 6:35:35 AM EDT Kristian Fiskerstrand wrote:
> On 08/01/2017 01:43 AM, Benda Xu wrote:
> > Is it feasible to reduce the workload by only stablizing the longterm
> > supported kernels?
>
> On 08/01/2017 12:30 AM, Rich Freeman wrote:
> > I'd suggest taking it further and allowing auto-stabilization of all
> > point releases whether they're security releases or not.
>
> Both of these are also in line with what has previously been [discussed
> in wg-stable]:
> --<---------------------------------------------------->--
> \subsection{Kernel}
> There should be kernel packages in stable visibility available to end
> users for \pkg{sys-kernel/gentoo-sources} and other kernel variants
> referenced in the installation instructions of the handbook, in order to
> ease the configuration for new users.
>
> For Kernel stabilisation it is not possible for an arch tester to test
> all possible configuration and hardware combinations. Other kernel
> variants, that are expected for more advanced users to begin with,
> likely does not make sense to stabilise given there the lack of
> stability guarantees. Restricing the number of stabilised kernels hence
> aids in reducing arch tester workload.
>
> As discussed previously\cite{kernel01,kernel02} a consistent
> stabilisation policy on kernels is also important in order to ensure
> that the latest point release is available to end-users in order to
> ensure that security- and bugfixes are offered. In the experience of the
> WG the kernel upstream has a strict policy on maintaining backwards
> compatibility and not breaking userspace which has been proven over time.
>
> As such it makes sense to
> \begin{itemize}
>   \item Stabilise Long Term Stable (LTS) branches once they have been
> determined to be so and tested downstream
>   \item Have an automatic policy of stabilising new point releases
> within the LTS
>   \item non-LTS branches should not be stabilised
> \end{itemize}
>
> --<---------------------------------------------------->--
>
> References:
> [discussed in wg-stable]
> https://download.sumptuouscapital.com/gentoo/wg-stable/main.pdf

So will the council consider ratifying the WG stable suggestions for kernel 
releases?

-Aaron