Hi all,
Josh Andler (aka ScislaC) has agreed to take on the role of Release Warden with me for 0.46.
For those who for whom this is their first release: When we're not in release mode, Inkscape development is left fairly free-form. In the run-up to a release, though, we gradually formalize and restrict work that goes on in the tree. When we hit Hard Freeze, things get quite restrictive, and in fact we switch to a model similar to the Linux kernel development process, with commits to the tree required to be authorized by two people(*) - who we call the Release Wardens.
Each Release Warden serves for two consecutive releases. I worked on 0.45 and will do so again on 0.46; Josh will have this role for 0.46 and 0.47.
[* - Since often a large chunk of the work late in the release is application of translation patches, we also typically delegate authority to one or two Translation Integrators to be able to commit submitted translation work freely in the po/ directory. I expect we'll do the same this release.]
The primary job of the Release Wardens is to ensure that the releases' stability is high enough. They review bugs and decide which need to be fixed for the release, and follow up with bug assignees to ensure they get addressed quickly, or that they can be left as "Known Issues" in the release notes. When the Wardens reach concensus that Inkscape is "stable enough" in their judgement, the tree is tagged and their job is done.
Josh and I will probably be splitting up the work such that he focuses a bit more on bugs/stability-testing, and I'll focus more on patch review/integration, but I'm sure there'll be some overlapping.
Please join me in thanking Josh for volunteering for this role!
Bryce