f-spot is orphaned: in danger of being removed from Fedora

[David Nielsen]

2008/7/6 Alex Lancaster <alexl at users.sourceforge.net>:

> >>>>> "DN" == David Nielsen  writes:
>
> [...]
>
> DN> The more disturbing thing, if I read the output correctly is that
> DN> it happens while compiling gio-sharp.dll which definitely
> DN> shouldn't be in f-spot. I haven't had time to take a stab at the
> DN> offending code but it feels like it is including
> DN> gnome-desktop-sharp stuff. In that case the correct fix would be
> DN> making it use the system libraries.
>
> This is an ongoing issue with f-spot, I had tracked down a number of
> these issues previously and with some help from the Debian maintainer
> had patched them to use system libraries, but perhaps f-spot has gone
> and done it again.  See:
>
> https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=442343
>
> Although I did notice that the configure script does check for the
> presence of gnome-desktop-sharp, the absence of which was causing the
> builds to originally fail.  The question is if it tries to detect it,
> why doesn't it use it?


The programmer works in mysterious ways, most likely if this is the cause it
is code added in the interim between now and when distributions have
packages available. If you need the functionality, often the desire to wait
for a package or a tarball release is low as it can set you back months for
no good reason. At least it does not seem that they are using a pre compiled
binary this time which is a step in the right direction. I think we should
see it as a sign to be more proactive about getting support libraries into
Fedora and keeping them updated.. I suspect though that repeating this will,
once again, fall on deaf ears.

Now back to the desire to create a Mono SIG, this would alliviate the
problem for Mono packages a little. Currently I ping pong a bit with Paul to
get new Mono libraries into Fedora but Paul unfortunately has a tendency to
disappear for months at the time due to real world constraints (pesky real
life). E.g. he currently has the dependencies (3 packages) that would allow
us to ship MonoDevelop 1.0 in review but has let them sit for 2 months
without providing updates to pending comments. Having more hands would
definitely help both him and Fedora as a whole, and a more coordinated
approach to our Mono stack wouldn't hurt either.

So consider this a call to arms. We need a clear agenda, there is still much
great Mono software not in Fedora. What we have is maintained by very few
people, leaving us with problems relating to maintainer burnout or outright
disappearance. We clearly have problems staying current and ensuring that
downstream has access to the libraries they need, nor do we have a process
which can be used to streamline the introduction of said software (and just
look at how fast we can be when we want to, gnome-desktop-sharp was in
Fedora within a day). The packaging guidelines probably need a review as
well, surely there is room for improvement.

So who is with me?
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