Re: [Gramps-devel] Download page and supported platforms

[Stephen G. <ste...@op...>]

Benny Malengier wrote:
> All,
>
> The Download page on the wiki was changed
> http://gramps-project.org/wiki/index.php?title=Download
>
> I liked the more to the point nature, but I have asked to make the
> difference between officially supported and community supported.
>   
Yes, It is a better format, I like the way a note or comment can be 
added alongside the download link, helps to identify any constraints or 
dependencies for that download.
.
> Should there be people who want to make sure not only linux is
> officially supported, please let it be known.
>
> What would be needed:
> ---------------------------------
>
> * have the source code working on this platform
>
> * be committed to test, test, test features other developers are
> adding from linux, and do the changes needed to support your platform.
>
> * document how the dependencies of GRAMPS can be satisfied on your
> platform. At the moment there are is no requirement a dependency can
> only be added if it is cross-platform (Does experimental MapView with
> its webkit package eg work on other platforms?).
>
> * convince the GRAMPS developers that you are committed so that a
> release can only be done after it is guaranteed GRAMPS works on all
> supported platforms.
>
> What is not needed:
> ----------------------------
>
> * have an installer for that platform. Also for linux we support only
> that the source code can run, not that there will be packages.
>
>
> I know we all support GRAMPS to be cross platform, but without
> specific requirements that new features are tested in another platform
> before release, it is not honest to our users to say that platform is
> supported. Eg, as far as I know spell check does not work in windows
> although it should be easy to make work, the automatic bug reporting
> has never functioned, ... . Clearly the present developers are happy
> to support requests from users, but nobody is committed to the cause
> itself.
> I know some developers work in Windows, but if they do not commit
> themselves to fix _all_ issues that arise on their platform, we cannot
> say the platform is officially supported.
>
> Benny
>   
The preceding seems to be asking ONE person to step forward and commit 
themselves for their platform
    - While I may be prepared to test what I can, I do have time 
restrictions on my own end where I cannot commit fully to the project.
    - Also there is nothing to say I have the technical ability to fix 
ALL problems.

Does this also mean if the one "committed" person drops away from the 
project (not responding to emails - or stated not going to work on the 
project any more) does the support of that platform automatically drop 
to unsupported unless someone else Steps forward to become the one 
"committed" person?

Is there any way to get a "Supported Platform" status from multiple part 
time developers, instead on one "committed" developer?
If so, then how big do you think the "multiple" number would need to be 
to Support the platform properly?

Maybe I am reading too much into this, but I am also thinking this 
person can only be someone with write status to subversion, so it's only 
a question to those with write status already?

- Steve