> We provided both clients in one package back then. The reasons for
> removing the gtk3 client were "it was too experimental" and "Latest
> update of gtk+-3 libraries seem to have broken our gtk3-client
> quite completely" (your quote from #766185)
>
> I don't mind packaging the gtk3 client separately, just make up your
> mind because it must be supported if it should be part of a stable release.
The problem in #766185 (Oct 2014, 2.4.x) was that freeciv-gtk3 seemed to
be functionally the default client in the default Debian package, or at
least people were bumping into it and its problems not by conscious
choice of a non-default client.
The reason we settled on removal rather than separate packaging at that
time was I think because of the lack of time before impending freeze for
Jessie. I've attached my original message which considered other
options.
I still think having freeciv-gtk2 and freeciv-gtk3 available in separate
packages is the right answer. It would be nice if Debian could promote
our default choice of client for a given version as expressed in
'configure' (maybe a 'freeciv' metapackage?) but that's only a
nice-to-have.
Also, the Gtk3 client has improved since that time. It's not entirely
without problems, but I'm more confident in it than I was; I think we
can support the 2.5.x Gtk3 client.
--- Begin Message ---
One last request for an updated package: can you ensure that users
aren't going to run into freeciv-gtk3 unless they go looking for it?
While it's more or less playable, it really isn't ready for prime time
yet :/
I'm not sure what the experience is at the moment, but I guess from the
desktop files that many users will see "Freeciv" and "Freeciv (gtk3)" as
peers. If so, they might well think "gtk3, that's newer so obviously
better".
I'm not sure what the fix is; in increasing order of disruption:
- edit the .desktop file to say it's experimental
- remove freeciv-gtk3.desktop entirely
- stop packaging freeciv-gtk3 at all
- split into two packages, with package description for gtk3 version
implying experimental flakiness
Sorry, this is rather late to say if you're planning to package today.
Just got a bug report from a Jessie user on #freeciv-dev who's using
gtk3; not sure what their thought process was yet.
I can raise a Debian bug for this if you'd prefer.
--- End Message ---
