[Tfug] Fw: Debian decides to adopt time-based release freezes

[Glen Pfeiffer]

FYI:

----- Forwarded message from Meike Reichle -----

> Debian decides to adopt time-based release freezes
> 
> The Debian project has decided to adopt a new policy of time-based
> development freezes for future releases, on a two-year cycle. Freezes
> will from now on happen in the December of every odd year, which means
> that releases will from now on happen sometime in the first half of every
> even year.  To that effect the next freeze will happen in December 2009,
> with a release expected in spring 2010. The project chose December as a
> suitable freeze date since spring releases proved successful for the
> releases of Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 (codenamed "Etch") and Debian GNU/Linux
> 5.0 ("Lenny").
> 
> Time-based freezes will allow the Debian Project to blend the
> predictability of time based releases with its well established policy of
> feature based releases. The new freeze policy will provide better
> predictability of releases for users of the Debian distribution, and also
> allow Debian developers to do better long-term planning.  A two-year
> release cycle will give more time for disruptive changes, reducing
> inconveniences caused for users. Having predictable freezes should also
> reduce overall freeze time.
> 
> Since Debian's last release happened on Feb. 14th 2009, there will only
> be approximately a one year period until its next release, Debian
> GNU/Linux 6.0 (codenamed "Squeeze").  This will be a one-time exception
> to the two-year policy in order to get into the new time schedule. To
> accommodate the needs of larger organisations and other users with a long
> upgrade process, the Debian project commits to provide the possibility to
> skip the upcoming release and do a skip-upgrade straight from Debian
> GNU/Linux 5.0 ("Lenny") to Debian GNU/Linux 7.0 (not yet codenamed).
> 
> Although the next freeze is only a short time away, the Debian project
> hopes to achieve several prominent goals with it. The most important are
> multi-arch support, which will improve the installation of 32 bit
> packages on 64 bit machines, and an optimised boot process for better
> boot performance and reliability. 
> 
> The new freeze policy was proposed and agreed during the Debian Project's
> yearly conference, DebConf, which is currently taking place in Caceres,
> Spain. The idea was well received among the attending project members. 
----- End forwarded message -----

I hope this email is acceptable to the pseudo-moderators. ;-)

-- 
Glen