Re: Linux 2.4 before 2001?

[Mike A. Harris]

On Wed, 5 Jan 2000, Peter Svensson wrote:

>> Since this is unlikely to change, why not just stop projecting
>> the release dates entirely?  It is something unpredictable.
>> A lot of major companies flat out refuse to give dates on things
>> because they don't want dissappointed customers when the date
>> can't be met.  Why don't we all take the same approach too?
>> After all, the date of release is not going to be forced due to
>> bad projections giving expectations right?
>
>The main reason comercial companies dont announce projected release dates
>is to not hurt sales of the older release. For this very reason I like the

That is one reason that they do it I suppose, but also to not
have vaporware products give them a bad image.

>approximate release dates projected by Linus and others. It allows me to
>choose which technology bandwagon to jump on. I really wish more of the
>linux distribution makers would do the same. 

Well, as far as RedHat is concerned, I have predicted each
release far far in advance within one month accuracy for the last
6 releases.  My current prediction for the next RH release is May
or so.

The kernel is a different cookie though.  I don't see how
projected release dates help one usefully choose a technology
with which to go with if the release dates are consistently
pushed ahead and delayed.

In order for release dates to be remotely useful for any purpose,
they need to be fairly accurate within a small time frame

>I think most people understand that the dates are goals, not firm
>guarantees.

Well that may be true, the same people often communicate this to
others, and a great many people are dissappointed when a "goal"
is not met, especially when it is consistently not met again and
again.

So I hold my original opinion true that projected release dates
are useless unless they come true within a close time frame (one
month lets say).

I do agree with your opinion on projected release dates, in the
case where the real release date is close to the projected one
however.

Thanks for your reply.  I'm looking to see what others think
about it as well.

Perhaps it is better though if future replies are via private
email...

Take care,
TTYL

--
Mike A. Harris                                     Linux advocate     
Computer Consultant                                  GNU advocate  
Capslock Consulting                          Open Source advocate

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