Mailinglist Archive: opensuse-project (169 mails)

[Maciej Pilichowski <macias@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello,

  The reason for this mail is quite simple -- I've been using 
open/suse for a long time and I am afraid to see how opensuse is 
getting better, yet on the other hand is getting worse.
  Better -- because for example computer boots faster, worse -- 
because to do the same thing as before, user has to download extra 
packages, download "outdated" packages or learn again how to make 
things work with new tools.

  For me meaning of upgrade is simply -- user should upgrade system 
and everything should work as before, minimum. The only changes could 
be: everything is faster, more secure, reliable, etc.

  Examples: opensuse dropped smbfs package some time ago, and this 
done silently, when you try to use smbfs... nothing, no information 
why, what should user do. losetup worked perfectly well in 10.2, 
after upgrade user is supposed to set from scratch her/his 
configuration to make things work. 

  I don't want only to complain, because it is wasting time. My 
propositions:

a) let's say user works with OS X.Y with package P installed older 
than the basic package from this OS version (example opensuse 10.2 
and cups 1.1) -- do not touch such packages! it is clear that user 
intentionally downgraded this package to work with it, it was her/his 
will so do not force upgrade of such packages

b) dropping software (like smbfs (*)) -- provide fake packages (I 
already reported this idea), so when user tries to use it explain 
what she/he should do with it
b.1) however this example (*) shows a bad judgement -- I think it is 
better to provide unmaintained code to help users, than to remove 
such software and make things worse for users (cifs does not work so 
well)

c) if one tool is replaced with another (losetup example) provide 
converter, so user could call losetup-backward-compability script and 
all arguments would be translated to the new tool used in opensuse

d) if it is only possible (technically) maintain backward 
compatibility, ignoring current userbase in such manner reminds me of 
one big firm and its attitude -- it is bad example to follow

In general: it is better to make things work in one place (opensuse 
distribution) so every user could benefit from it, than ignoring 
users workplace and making them fix system after upgrade to the state 
before upgrade. This just a wasting time.

Backward compatibility really matters -- it is no use I get new, great 
cups if it does not work for me at all. The same goes for every other 
package. Currently this issue is being treated too lightly (in my 
opinion).

Thank you for your time, 
have a nice day, bye
-- 
Maciej Pilichowski
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