But it wasnt, and that caused what will be to most end users a massive annoyance an inconvenience, and undoubtedly a drop in confidence about puppy linux's quality, and our ability to create a solid linux distribution without the aid and experience of BarryK. This is real shame, because, despite your best efforts to derail them, puppy 4.2's new appearance and usability features set it light years ahead of previous Puppies in terms of its accessibility and attractiveness to new linux users. I am very grateful this long overdue change has happened, and to the people that made this happen.
Ok, instead of just simply just patting each other on the back for bringing 4.2 into existence for free, and blaming other people for this bug, and calling each other names, why not inject a little professionalism into this situation and look at what went wrong? -and what we can do to make sure something like this doesnt happen again
Ttuxxx, you say it shouldnt/isnt be your responsibility to test your packaging. This is a new one because every other developer I have ever known a least does a rudimentary test of its basic functionality, but your saying you dont have the "precious time" to do this? You say thats my responsibility now? Ok fine....
Next time, you develop a package for mainstream puppy linux, make it your responsibility to SEND IT TO ME. If your not willing to take responsibility for Puppy Linux's quality, I AM.
I will personally test the hell out of it. Not only will I test it myself, I have access to a lot of people that use puppy linux for general computing (not as a hobby) in their homes and in their businesses. A great many are very enthusiastic about the opportunity to give something back, but they dont have the technical skills. this makes them ideal "test pilots". Hopefully also (if I have the time to prepare the demo tonight) I will have access to two huge cybercafes. The staff there have told me they are more than willing to act as a testbed to help puppies worthy worldwide aims.
You have yourself an unshakable partner now Ttuxxx Be careful what you wish for
Obviously Puppy needs also needs some kind of more formal testing strategy too. Thats another discussion which I will go start.
@ Tronkel
Ubuntu has a lot more code...therefore a lot more bugs. Ive used it for some time myself and on other peoples P.C.'s, but Ecomoney Systems dropped support for it recently because it is simply just too unreliable....along with the ubuntu specialist who used to work with me. Im sure the reasons for that show stopper in 7.10 were far more complex than the reasons for the broken word processor in Puppy 4.2.
From what Ive seen, puppy makes an exelent starter distro. When its users have gained confidence in linux, many of them go over to other distros. Personally think this is a real strength, considering how many people still use Windoze.
You make a good point that if Puppy becomes too user-focused developers will lose interest in it, and not use it themselves. Perhaps puppy then needs a "newbie mode"? This wouldnt necessarily need much disk space, and give both sets of people what they want. Would be far more useful than a personal Wiki IMHO.
