User:Mdomsch/UpdatesProposal

This proposal aims to address updates from a User, not a developer, perspective.

Terminology:

• Release N+2: aka Rawhide, the code base planned for release in 6-12 months.
• Release N+1: The code base currently branched from rawhide, under active development. (e.g. Fedora 13)
• Release N: The latest stable release currently advertised. (e.g. Fedora 12)
• Release N-1: The previous stable release, still capable of receiving updates. (e.g. Fedora 11)

Expectations by release

1. Users expect major package updates in Release N+2, as well as closely following upstream releases.
2. Users expect major package updates in Release N+1. While in development, both major and minor bug fixes, and behavioral changes are expected. After the Feature Freeze, these should be minimized.
3. Users expect updates for Release N to include bug fixes, minor package updates, and minimal changes in functionality.
   1. Major Desktop environment upgrades would be unexpected.
   2. Library soname bumps would be unexpected, and should be the exception, not the rule.
4. Users expect updates for Release N-1 to be restricted to major bug fixes only. No major package updates, change in functionality, library soname bumps, or behavioral changes.
   1. Major Desktop environment upgrades are unexpected and must be avoided.
   2. Library soname bumps are unexpected and must be avoided.