Re: [gentoo-user] Why is the latest release 2006.1?

[Andrey Gerasimenko]

On Tue, 17 Apr 2007 09:50:23 +0400, Dale <dalek@××××××××××.net> wrote:

> Andrey Gerasimenko wrote:
>>
>> I agree that "the installation CD does not need to be specifically a
>> Gentoo cd", but I believe that it should be always possible to use it
>> for installation, even when workarounds are available. The only
>> argument that explains why it is currently not the fact is the
>> inability to sustain quarterly release schedule. It looks like
>> everybody, me too, agrees that it is a very good reason to switch to
>> semi-annual releases, but  please note that the very fact that
>> quarterly releases were started is a proof that they are desirable.
>>
>> I guess the problem here is that the Gentoo Minimal Installation CD
>> release is linked to the Gentoo Installer LiveCD release and to the
>> Gentoo Reference Platform release. If the minimal CD is released
>> quarterly or, better, whenever new hardware hits the shelves, the
>> experience of new Gentoo users will be better.
>>
>> --Andrei Gerasimenko
>> --gentoo-user@g.o mailing list
>>
>
> Even though I would like to see semi-annual releases, I can also
> understand the effort that has to go into making it happen.  You would
> have to catch everything just right to make it worthwhile.  Example, it
> is time for a new release and gcc is almost ready to be marked stable.
> Do you do the release anyway or wait until gcc is stable?  What if it is
> not as stable as people think and it is already released before that is
> found out?  That would not be good for Gentoo either.
>
> Add in that some new piece of hardware is coming out and the drivers are
> being worked on but not yet finished.  Then what?  What if the packages
> such as gcc, KDE, Gnome and other important ones and the newer hardware
> drivers never sync up exactly right?  Who would decide what is more
> important, hardware drivers or packages?
>
> I can see this from both sides.  Having a reasonably up to date install
> CD would be nice but it would take some effort and planning to get it
> there.  I suspect the new Proctors would be all over Gentoo-dev.  LOL
> That could turn into a really long discussion and it would never end
> really.  By the time one is released it would be time to start planning
> the next and may even overlap a lot too.
>
> I'm glad I'm a lowly user and not a dev.  :-)
>
> Dale
>

Sorry for the long quote, it all looks equally relevant (or irrelevant).

There should be some problem with my English. I understand and agree with  
your arguments and even, I hope, have explained that in the original post.  
However, they are valid for the Gentoo Installer LiveCD and the Reference  
Platform only. The Gentoo Minimal Installation CD has much less packages  
and it is much easier to update it.

I do not see how it is hard to create a minimal installation CD image  
every time new hardware support is added into the kernel, or new gcc  
version goes stable, or new portage version goes stable. Whether this is  
desirable or quarterly releases are sufficient is another question, since  
too many versions may confuse new users.

The problem is that currently the minimal CD, the Live CD, and the  
Reference Platform are released simultaneously. I guess the minimal CD  
should be numbered like 2006.1, 2006.1.u1, 2006.1.u2, 2007.0.p1,  
2007.0.p2, 2007.0, 2007.0.u1 and so on and released as necessary between  
full releases.

I feel it is harder to fix the relevant Handbook and web site entries and,  
possibly, ensure that it gets to all the mirrors than to prepare the new  
CD image.


-- 
Andrei Gerasimenko
-- 
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