rygle wrote:
Just my two cents worth on the release being held back by Windows;
I think that, regardless of your position on Windows as an operating system, or Windows users, that putting out a release that is crippled would be downright humiliating to the *whole* Inkscape project.
I'm a Windows user. I use Windows daily. I'm very thankful when the OSS software that I use is supported on Windows. But there are plenty of OSS applications that aren't supported on Windows. It just can't happen in the FOSS ecosystem without people. People who are willing and interested in volunteering time and effort to support their platform. I do not thing a Windows-less release is humiliating to the people in the Inkscape project who have worked hard this release cycle to add features and fix bugs and document and translate and triage and advertise. These people have done a great job and deserve commendation. A Windows-less release is only humiliating to the Windows using portion of the community.
Let's ask, what is pushing us so hard to get the next release out? In a lot of these projects there is an impetus based on saving face, which is about bringing new features to fruition. IMHO, the saving face needs to be done by being a little patient, or at the very least not releasing 0.46 for Windows until it is pretty right.
Please explain how you have arrived at the supposition that the motivation for this Inkscape release is about "saving face"? It is a goal of our project to have timely releases. This is a good goal for every OSS project. It helps projects to move forward and gauge progress. And it helps us slow down and focus on identifying and resolving a large number of issues with functionality and stability.
Again, what is the aim? Is it purely to further the name of Inkscape, or is there at least some desire to further SVG as a viable option is a largely proprietary world? I have heard that said a number of times, and used as a reason to include or reject features. This project is meant to be about a good SVG editor, and the rest is a nice by-product. Again, a good reason to hold off just a little.
Please explain how you have arrived at the supposition that this release could be purely to further the name of Inkscape.
Let us also ask, if Linux users are so technically superior, aren't they already using the release candidate, which offers pretty much what the release will? Surely even the nightlies are very stable by now if all the bugs are ironed out. If so, in at least one sense who cares if there's a release if the RC is working and those who want the release are already using it! Linux users are well and truly used to beta and release candidates, and in fact the pure only use the bleeding edge stuff and look down on those who don't. Or are we next going to start railing against Ubuntu users for their lack of technical expertise, and because they need a packaged version? Afterall, isn't Ubuntu trying to attract that Windows-like person?
I find this paragraph insultingly stereotypical. There are technical and non-technical people in every demographic. Linux users very often prefer to use their distro's package management system. When I use linux (Ubuntu), this is my preference and I don't believe myself to be particularly lacking in technical expertise.
Lets please hold off just a little, at the very least on the Windows release. For many Linux users it makes no difference whether or not there's an official release, because the pre2 package is stable. For the Windows users, and the reputation of Inkscape, SVG, and even FOSS, it makes a huge difference.
I believe that the arguments you have made, because of their tone, do more to distract from your argument rather than support it. The lack of a Windows package for this release would sadden me greatly. But I cannot demand that developers who don't have access to windows for philosophical reasons, monetary reasons, or even simple preference support the development for that platform. If no one will support Inkscape on Windows, it cannot exist.
Aaron Spike