[maemo-community] Extras and Fremantle

[From: Jeremiah Foster]

On Feb 27, 2009, at 7:10 AM, Quim Gil wrote:

> Hi,
>
> ext Jeremiah Foster wrote:
>> If the SDK is "experimental", which its alpha status seems to
>> indicate, then it is valuable to build packages and fix any bugs in
>> the SDK.
>
> Sure, but people will want to share their alphas too, and if there  
> is no
> an extras-devel repository we will start seeing own repos and even  
> debs
> attached to ITt threads, different versions of same libraries and  
> other
> potential nightmares we have seen already.

I feel the only way to combat this type of rogue repository creation  
is to assure that the maemo.org repos are;

	1. of significantly higher quality
	2. provide added value, like the way they are highly available
	3. are more secure

A broken build system is a way to ensure rogue repos pop up everywhere.
>
>> If the SDK is not finished and is subject to significant change, then
>> building packages with it will be of no use because those packages
>> will not work later and anything learned in the building phase may  
>> not
>> be relevant.
>>
>> What state is the SDK in? Is it going to have lots of API or ABI
>> changes? What does the "alpha" status mean specifically, how is that
>> defined?
>
> alpha = API complete. It's not frozen yet but we don't expect many
> changes in the API after the alpha release. Maybe some additions in  
> some
> components, maybe some minor changes for optimizations here and there.
> The alpha will be a mature alpha since the pre-alpha phase hasn't been
> so long in vain.  :)
>
> I really see no reason not to create a Fremantle extras-devel. Since  
> the
> SDK will be an alpha bringing API changes already from Diablo, those
> developers jumping into it will know what to expect. I don't think all
> of you will stay with arms crossed waiting for the more reliable beta.

I agree. I think this is a persuasive argument to adding freemantle as  
a repository on maemo.

Warm regards,

Jeremiah