Hi, > I would like to propose the following extension to "5.6.23.", the > "Homepage" header line: > > --- > If no homepage exists, e.g. because the software is abandoned and > vanished off the net, "None" can be specified. > ---
While I see the point in having something like this, perhaps some standard page (hosted on the Debian servers somewhere) informing users that the software has been abandoned (and perhaps pointing to a Google cache/Web Archive cache of the original site, or other relevant information) would provide more benefit. In general, I think it's a good idea to move away from abandoned/unsupported software -- if you wish to continue supporting abandoned software, you should fork it/adopt the project upstream. I do not believe Debian (as a downstream vendor) is really the place to maintain too much native software (without an upstream), nor do I believe it is good for users to want to use abandoned software indefinitely. If there is software that depends on such older software, perhaps that should be considered a candidate for removal, too. Debian's strength is its great number of software packages, but I think it is important to limit the number of packages that would require too much support from our side, which means relying on/coordinating with upstream. If the upstream people do not show any interest and nobody assumes their place, then perhaps it is safer just to remove the package. Can you think of any other possible use cases for having "None" upstream? Cheers, Jonathan -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-policy-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org Archive: http://lists.debian.org/d1b732a71002161629s1d3ff5e8qe3da427b3d72...@mail.gmail.com
