[phpBT-dev] RE: [Phpbt-users] Bug fixes or features?

[Steve D. - C. <ste...@cu...>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: php...@li... 
> [mailto:php...@li...] On Behalf Of 
> Ulf Erikson
> Sent: 09 September 2005 15:54
> To: php...@li...
> Cc: php...@li...
> Subject: Re: [Phpbt-users] Bug fixes or features?
 
> * Peter Parnes [2005-09-09 09:28 +0200]:
> > We have learned to live with the bugs that exist and I would be so 
> > bold/boring to promote a mix of bugfixing and new releases :)
 
> (snip) Playing nice and maintain a 
> stable branch will most likely pay off in the end.

I think it's important to aim for stability, but in my experience, there has
been little to suggest it is particularly "unstable".
 

> Now, the one who asked whether a 1.1 feature realease would 
(snip)
> happen. But it looks like it will need some extra hands..

This is a chicken and egg situation.  More features might attract more
users, who might then want to contribute more features...

Going back to the original points, here are my opinions (and please note,
they apply to a pre-1.0 release as that's what I use):

* Should we fix bugs in the 1.0 release and offer regular updates, or
should we spend all energy on developing a new version?

Are there specific requirements for a new version?  Have users registered
their wishes?  If there are many feature requests (in terms of time required
to implement), than I'd suggest fixing only "showstopper" bugs in 1.0 then
moving on.  If there has not been "significant" interest in new features,
better to fix the older one - again, only if there's an outcry for fixes. 

If there are neither requests for features nor for fixes, I'd go with
developing features (after all, everyone knows the chicken came first ;) ).

 * Should the development version be offered as a downloadable snapshot  as
soon as possible, or should we wait until it is safe and stable  enough for
a release?

As a software tester, I prefer the idea of releasing at key milestones. This
could be to registered beta testers who have expressed an interest in
fault-finding.  

 * Is the current development version safe and stable (and feature rich  and
bug free) enough for a new release?

Yes, it is here.

 * What new features would you expect in a new release?

Should we set up an opinion poll for all users to contribute their thoughts
to?

 * What old bugs would you expect to be fixed in a new release?

I would expect all *known* old bugs to appear fixed in any new release, in
addition to functional improvememts. :)

Just my tuppence-worth... :)

Steve