New KDE Frameworks Versions as SRU

[Scott Kitterman]

On Thursday, November 20, 2014 03:19:10 PM Jonathan Riddell wrote:
> I'd like to propose to the tech board to give an update allowance for new
> versions of KDE Frameworks.  I don't expect this to be the quickest of
> discussions so we may as well get started :)
> 
> Currently we have a micro release update exception for KDE SC bugfix
> releases.
> 
> KDE Frameworks has no bugfix releases because upstream decided they didn't
> have the resources to make them.  Instead they have new releases every
> month with both bugfixes and new features.  However these are libraries so
> applications will be using the existing ABI and that ABI (the symbols) is
> not allowed to change.  The functionality of those symbols is also not
> allowed to change.  Any new features are in new symbols and existing
> applications won't use them.  So updates in the archive will be bugfix only
> for applications in the archive.

They already failed at this once, so I don't feel confident in this assertion.

> Allowing a SRU version exception will allow these bugfixes.  It will also
> make it easier for backports of Plasma to use the version of KF5 in the
> archive.  It will also make Kubuntu a nicer platform for people developing
> with Qt and KF5 because they'll be able to easily get the latest version.
> 
> KF5 is in Utopic but nothing in the archive uses it so it might be a nice
> way to start and reassure everyone it'll be a smooth process.
> 
> I'd like to send this to the tech board, any thoughts?

I'm against it.

We got the exception for KDE4 because upstream had an updates policy (which 
you wrote/socialized upstream) that was consistent with our SRU requirements.  
This is not true for KF5.  I don't think that the fact that there was an 
exception for KDE4 is relevant.

The upstream maintenance policy is clearly at odds with our SRU policy, so an 
exception is inappropriate.  Consider that it's called a micro-release 
exception and upstream has decided they aren't doing micro-releases at all.

Since we will freeze our versions for development with a compatible KF5 and 
Plasma 5, there's no need for newer feature versions in the archive.  We have 
approximately a bazillion PPAs for people that want newer crack.  We shouldn't 
inflict it on the entire user base.

Scott K