Let's set a date/goal for the 1.5 Branch

I think we should set a branch date for 1.5. While there is still a
lot of work to do, it looks like the end is finally on the horizon,
and setting a goal date for branching is realistic now.

I propose October 12th as that date, which gives us 6 full weeks of
development time, and if we get the pieces in place quickly for a
release candidate, gives us enough time to get the GA out before the
end of the year. Personally, I think we should shoot for end of
November, so that X-Mas and holiday season does not get in the way.

If we focus on the remaining work, potentially make some tough
decisions about deferrals, and do not allow new features to slip in,
we could possibly even branch earlier than October 12th, which would
be great. I know that we all want to get this wrapped up, so let's
finally do it.

I am sending this email for a few reasons:

* Gauge people's opinions. I think we all want to see this happen,
  but if for some reason there are some that want to see certain new
  features tackled first, better to get that on the table now. I hope
  that is not the case.

* I still have some mild concerns that there are some important TO-DO's
  lurking out there that have not been added to the 1.5 milestone in
  the issue tracker. If we set a date, hopefully that will cause
  those to surface.

* A firm date gives us something to make decisions against. (For
  example, CollabNet really wants to see some progress on tree
  conflicts -- but clearly at this point, that has to wait for a 1.6
  release or we will never get the 1.5 release done.)

* A date and a to-do list that we all see shrinking will hopefully
  help us feel that each commit is progress toward an end-point, i.e.,
  that the goal posts are not receding.

Assuming this message is well-received and there is general consensus,
I volunteer to follow-up with an email that triages the remaining
work. (Full disclosure: this will also help CollabNet focus its
resources.)

When we reviewed the list of remaining issues internally at CollabNet
recently, it was not as bad as I thought. We can definitely get this
done. That being said, 6 weeks is not a long time to do anything; we
do need to focus.

-- 
Thanks
Mark Phippard
http://markphip.blogspot.com/
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@subversion.tigris.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@subversion.tigris.org