Extras/Schedule/FixStuffThatNeedsFixing

Owner
thl

Target
November 2006

Status
Agreed on in the meeting 20061027

Proposal
With the current CVS-Layout each packager can modify all packages. This will probably change in the future with the next Version Control System (VCS)and a proper ACL scheme, but for now this document tries to lay down which contributor is allowed to touch which packages for now.

= Who is allowed to modify which packages =

Normally the maintainer that is listed as first maintainer in owners.list of a package is the only one who modifies the package or gives other permission (e.g. by accepting them as co-maintainers) to commit and build changes for that package. Bugzilla is normally the best way to contact the package maintainer or to send him patches and suggestions because is neutral and trackable; but poking people one or twice in IRC or directly via mail might be a good idea.

But there are certain exceptions where the maintainer has to accept that other packagers will modify his packages. Those exception are described in detail below -- it mostly boils down to this:

If


 * a packager doesn't fix important bugs in time


 * if there are problems known that might be bad for the whole Project or a lot of users of the repo/a particular package


 * the changes are quite minor or considered as a general cleanup to a lot of packages

then  experienced Extras packagers  are allowed to fix stuff in other peoples packages.

Examples and detailed explanations
This is section will try to explain above rules in more detail. It will never be able to cover all things that might arise in Fedora Extras, but it should give everyone some idea how to lay out the above rules.

Inactive Packager
The packager normally should keep track of his packages; that means:


 * respond in bugs reported in bugzilla; especially fast if it's a serious problem like a security issue


 * fix his stuff without explicit poking if it is mentioned in the problem reports somewhere -- that includes:


 * looking at the  Package Status  pages in the wiki now and then


 * fix EVR problems if they get mentioned in the problem reports on the fedora-extras-list


 * fix dependency issues (including those in the devel repo) -- the script sends problems to both the maintainer and the list


 * participate in mass-rebuilds

If the packager doesn't keep track of those items, then other experiences packagers are free to fix stuff for him. It's impossible to set a timeframe when a contributor should step forward to fix stuff because that depends on how bad the problem that need fixing actually is. But some examples:


 * security problems:


 * Important stuff should be fixed as quickly if possible -- waiting one day for the maintainer to show up and step in to fix a issue that got reported to him is considered more than enough; there may even be situations where issues need to be fixes quicker.


 * not that important problems should be dealt with quickly, too -- waiting for 2-7 days (depending how bad the issue is) is considered enough


 * bugs need similar treatment like security problems:


 * Important stuff (data corruption for users) should be fixed as quick if possible -- waiting one day is considered more than enough here, too


 * harmful, but not that bad bugs that might hurt users -- waiting for 2-14 days (depending how bad the issue is) is considered enough


 * annoying, but not that harmful bugs -- waiting for 21 days is considered enough

Some notes:


 * If you are a packager and offline due to vacation, traveling or other issues for longer time periods (for example five days or longer) please announce that in the wiki on the  proper Page . Other in this case don't have to wait for you to fix stuff (e.g. if a Security Fix needs to be applied) or know that they don't have to expect an answer before your return.


 * Inactive actually really means inactive -- if the maintainer responded once in a bug report, but felt silent afterwards try to ping him again, maybe he has just forgotten about this bug. Or there might be some good reason why he hasn't yet committed the provided fix.


 * if you committed changes to another package wait some hours if possible (normally 24 or 48) before you actually build the updated package as long it is nothing serious that should be fixed quickly (security problems, ...). That leaves some time for the maintainer to wake up ;-)


 * experienced packagers should limit their changes to other people packages to things that are well agreed upon. i.e. don't fix things considered somewhat controversial or a matter of style

Minor, general or cleanup changes
Sometimes there are situations where it's simply a lot easier to fix stuff directly in cvs than via bugzilla and the proper maintainers. So much easier that we should leave this path open. These situations shouldn't arise that often. Some examples of situations were bypassing the proper maintained is considered fine:


 * support for a new architecture -- that often requires that a lot of packages need adjustments or patches that packagers often can't even test themself. Getting all those modifications in via bugzilla is a lot of annoying work, so these things can be fixed directly in the devel branch of cvs without contacting the individual maintainers if the general effort was announced beforehand. A SIG should handle the stuff and continue with normal operations after the initial porting efforts are finished.


 * small fixes or adjustments for new or modified packaging guidelines can be done directly in CVS after being announced some days in advance.


 * mass rebuilds

Definition of the term "Experienced packagers"
As experienced packagers count:


 * The release manager(s) (we don't have such a position yet, but we'll probably have one sooner or later)


 * Sponsors


 * Especially the QA and Security SIGs


 * the SIG that's handling the area in which the package or the fix is needed. But


 * the SIG has to exists for at least two months and needs to have shown activity in the past two months


 * the member is and experienced Extras packager and around for at least four months and member of the SIG for at least one month


 * core packagers that have been through a number of reviews (for extra or core packages) and are core packagers for more than 4 months.