New to packaging - What version to use?

[Cesare Tirabassi]

On Wednesday 06 February 2008 18:45:11 Kevin Cunningham wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am new to packaging and looking to tackle some easy packages.  I found
> one that I am going to try, but had a general question.  When packaging,
> which version of the source should be used?  Obviously, I would want to use
> a recent version, but does that include beta releases or should I go with
> the last release version.  Ex:  I have the choice between 4.0.0-1 and
> 4.0.0beta1-1 and 4.0.0beta3-1.  Should I just choose the 4.0.0-1 to be
> safe?

I don't think that there is a generic, fit-for-all-cases rule, it should 
really depends on what the differences are.
Have you tried the different versions yourself ?
Will it make any difference to the packaging ?
How "unstable" is the beta version and how "stable" is the release one?
I would also say that 4.0.0 seems to be more recent than 4.0.0beta1 (unless 
upstream uses some kind of funny numbering system).

Cesare