[maemo-developers] RFC: Proposal to solve multiple repository, poor QA situation

[From: Neil MacLeod]

Andrew Flegg wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> This morning[1] I think I came up with a solution to the problems that
> have recently been discussed on maemo-users of too many repositories
> and not enough QA on packages.
> 
> I'd like to raise it here for discussion to polish it, and then
> volunteers to help implement it.
> 

+1

I think this sounds like a great idea. I'd be willing to become a gatekeeper (not sure of my current Karma), but sadly I'm not a coder so I can't help much there. :(

Having sources available for each project would also be a good thing, but I guess setting up an auto-builder would be an awful lot more work so perhaps this should be a future requirement?

My only comment on the current proposal is the assignment of work to gatekeepers - I can see a situation arising where one gatekeeper claims a project but for whatever reason doesn't get around to making the required checks, meaning the project maintainer has to wait 2 days until the work is allocated to another gatekeeper. This could become a problem if it happens often.

As a solution, I think that multiple gatekeepers should be able to claim an item of work, and the first gatekeeper to perform the checks and update the website is allocated the points/karma/whatever - the website should then send an email to the other associated gatekeepers informing them the ticket is now closed. This may duplicate effort to some extent, but would ensure redundancy and minimise aggravation to project maintainers. Alternatively the auto re-allocation period should be reduced, perhaps to 3-6 hours, and if more time is required the allocated gatekeeper must request an "extension" (eg. another 3 hours) through the website.