Did we really release 8.04?

[Pär Lidén]

2008/7/7 Scott Kitterman <ubuntu at kitterman.com>:

> On Monday 07 July 2008 08:50, Cory K. wrote:
> > Sad fact is people don't install the alpha/betas at the same level as
> > final. So more actual testing/feedback was done after release. I can
> > tell you for sure this was the case for Ubuntu Studio.
> >
> > For me, it's all about how do we get people to use the later alphas or
> > betas so final is better? Age old issue it seems.
> >
> Agreed.


I don't agree at all. Fact is that 8.04 was released with several known
bugs. (PA, kernel SCHED_GROUP, and so on). The SCHED_GROUP bug even had a
fix available, but it was not packaged into the system of fear of breaking
things. Thankfully, it now has found it ways in to the package.  Myself, I
got affected by some sound issues, Firefox 3 issues (all fixed in the 3.0
final release though), mounting of samba shares, and an X problem.

There are also a lot of bugs on LP that seems to get very little attention,
and has been there for a long time with seemingly no developer activity
(such as
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux-source-2.6.20/+bug/88746).

I don't accuse any of the developers of doing a bad job, but I think there
is some problem with the methods used in the development of Ubuntu. I've
been thinking for some time about writing a post here with the title "Why
are Ubuntu releases so buggy?", but as this thread touches that issue quite
closely, I'll post my thoughts here.

I'm not the only thinking Ubuntu releases are buggy, you have probably all
read various reviews on the net. If Ubuntu is ever to reach out to
inexperienced computer users, low bug count must be a top priority. As an
experienced user, I know how to work around most bugs, but newbies don't
know that. Bugs are very annoying for the experienced users, and blocks the
usage for newbies.

When the software is released, users expect it to be stable. Buggy releases
are a major obstacle for resolving bug #1. For me, it sound ridiculous to
release buggy software to get more testing.

So, as and end-user, I have noticed how the Ubuntu releases are often too
buggy, even the LTS ones, and seeing how this prevents adoption of Ubuntu.
I'm not a developer, but I have some thoughts anyway about possible remedies
for this problem:

1. Spend less time developing features, and more time fixing bugs.
2. Be more conservative about including new software, especially when it
comes to system components affecting many programs. Of course PA is the case
where it went wrong in Hardy, but it similar things could happen in the
future.
3.a) Have a release cycle with more time spent in the beta phase.
or
3.b) Delay the release if needed, until it's stable.
OR
3.c) Release it, but make it have a name so it is clear that it's not
completely stable yet, such as 8.04 Early Adopters Release, or something
similar.

Probably these just concern the LTS releases. Perhaps the non-LTS releases
could continue just as normal, if I would appreciate a stronger focus on
bugs on those too (1). Maybe the list of feature additions for the LTS could
be quite short, and it would have a very strong focus on fixing bugs.

8.04.1 seems to be quite stable now, at least for me. So good work there,
thanks to the developers. IMO, the 8.04 release should have been delayed
till at least now, or maybe later (as there are apparently still PA
problems).

Just my 2 cents. As said, I'm not a developer, and my suggestions for
solutions may not be so well informed, but as an end user, I understand very
well how buggy releases affects the usage of Ubuntu. It's sad to say that
Windows releases are normally more stable than Linux ones (at least the
Ubuntu ones).

Regards
Pär
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