Re: RFD: Kernel release numbering

From: Jeff Garzik
Date: Wed Mar 02 2005 - 23:36:29 EST


David S. Miller wrote:
On Wed, 02 Mar 2005 22:40:57 -0500
Jeff Garzik <jgarzik@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:


People don't test 2.6-rc releases because they know they are not "release candidate, with only bug fixes" releases, which is how the rest of the world interprets the phrase.


That's not %100 true. No matter what -rc* really is, people perceive
it to be something based upon it's name and whether or not it is an
official release. As far as I can see it's %95 perception vs. reality.
And IT IS part of the reason the -rc's are not as good as they could be.

The reasons -rcs are not as good as they could be is that they include more than just bug fixes. Users are discouraged from testing because they must scan LKML, or guess, which -rc that Linus/Andrew started getting serious about "bugfixes only."

With the -pre/-rc scheme, it's clear to users.

With the even/odd scheme, you just devalue releases. Previously, all releases were worthy of testing and use. Now, half of them aren't.

Jeff


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