From owner-freebsd-ports@FreeBSD.ORG Thu Sep 8 08:56:52 2011 Return-Path: Delivered-To: ports@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.freebsd.org (mx1.freebsd.org [IPv6:2001:4f8:fff6::34]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 57C41106564A; Thu, 8 Sep 2011 08:56:52 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from byshenknet@byshenk.net) Received: from portland.byshenk.net (portland.byshenk.net [69.168.53.243]) by mx1.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id F320F8FC15; Thu, 8 Sep 2011 08:56:51 +0000 (UTC) Received: from portland.byshenk.net (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by portland.byshenk.net (8.14.5/8.14.5) with ESMTP id p888gAk1084320; Thu, 8 Sep 2011 01:42:10 -0700 (PDT) (envelope-from byshenknet@portland.byshenk.net) Received: (from byshenknet@localhost) by portland.byshenk.net (8.14.5/8.14.5/Submit) id p888g5aK084319; Thu, 8 Sep 2011 01:42:05 -0700 (PDT) (envelope-from byshenknet) Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2011 01:42:05 -0700 From: Greg Byshenk To: "Mikhail T." Message-ID: <20110908084205.GG13219@portland.byshenk.net> References: <201109050933.p859XEbP004874@fire.js.berklix.net> <4E64C35A.50004@FreeBSD.org> <4e65b42e.M5K+to11vAdk/UTk%perryh@pluto.rain.com> <4E6581E2.1060502@FreeBSD.org> <4e671817.ddHMkPbq9dJ7tLMz%perryh@pluto.rain.com> <4E66EFC5.3020201@FreeBSD.org> <4e67a3b2.CVKcpQ8KQzuo8BP+%perryh@pluto.rain.com> <4E67F41F.70401@FreeBSD.org> <4E680908.3060708@aldan.algebra.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline In-Reply-To: <4E680908.3060708@aldan.algebra.com> User-Agent: Mutt/1.4.2.3i X-Spam-Status: No, score=-1.0 required=5.0 tests=ALL_TRUSTED autolearn=unavailable version=3.3.2 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.3.2 (2011-06-06) on portland.byshenk.net Cc: ports@freebsd.org, jhs@berklix.com, Doug Barton , perryh@pluto.rain.com, utisoft@gmail.com Subject: Re: ports-system priorities rant (Re: sysutils/cfs) X-BeenThere: freebsd-ports@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.5 Precedence: list List-Id: Porting software to FreeBSD List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 08 Sep 2011 08:56:52 -0000 On Wed, Sep 07, 2011 at 08:15:04PM -0400, Mikhail T. wrote: > On -10.01.-28163 14:59, Doug Barton wrote: > >Non sequitur. The large number of ports that we support IS a feature. > >However, it's also a pretty big maintenance burden. Especially when you > >consider the number of those ports that are either actually or effectively > >unmaintained. > > Support? What support? Can I call someone and have a solution to a problem? > Some PRs remain open for years and any attempts to escalate are met with > "patches welcome" -- I've been on both sides myself :-) > > We do not offer support, make no promises of such and offer neither > guarantees nor SLAs. What we do offer is: "THERE IS A PORT OF IT". If there > is a piece of software out there, chances are, it is ported to FreeBSD. > Even if the existing port is imperfect, it is a starting point for > somebody, who needs that software on their system. > > With every port removed, that promise wears thinner and thinner... I'm not a developer, but it strikes me that the above hits at the core of the disagreement. For many people, what "THERE IS A PORT OF IT" actually -means- is that the user can go to ports and install a -working- version of the software, not merley that there is something called 'IT' somewhere in the ports tree that may or may not work. And, if I'm not mistaken, this is also what 'support' means in the context of ports. No, of course there is no helpdesk you can call. But just as with the 'supported hardware' list, 'supported' means that the team will do its best to ensure that things actually work. -- greg byshenk - gbyshenk@byshenk.net - Leiden, NL