[Live-devel] older source archives

[Ross Finlayson]

>>> They are needed especially for maintained distributions (in our case OpenEmbedded[1] related distributions like Ångström[2]), where it is not acceptable to switch to a latest version every few days.
>> 
>> I don't understand.  Nobody is making you switch to the latest version whenever it comes out (although it's a good idea to stay reasonably up-to-date, and it's very easy to do so).  If you are using an older version of the code, then you have it.  Why do you need a web site to access a version of the code that you already have??
> 
> The OpenEmbedded related distributions are used by many developers and companies developing for embedded devices. They are not distributed as a set of binaries or source archives, but as a set of metadata describing where to fetch the sources, and how to build, install, and package them.

OK, but I still don't understand.  In the case of the "LIVE555 Streaming Media" software, the "metadata describing where to fetch the sources" can simply be a link to
	http://www.live555.com/liveMedia/public/live555-latest.tar.gz
which tells you where to get the latest (and most bug-free) version of the code.  Why not just do this?


> So someone who like/need to build a distribution needs to be able to download the specified versions over a longer time.

No, they should always be using the latest version of the software.


>> It's important to understand that this software - unlike some others - does not have separate 'stable' and 'experimental' releases.  Instead, there's just one release, and it can be considered 'stable'.
> 
> I understand that. But i think there's no need to hide older versions to others

I'm not 'hiding' older versions; I'm just not putting them on our web site.  (Because this is ope source, other people, if they wish, may keep copies of older versions, but I'm not.)  The reason is quite simple: I feel I cannot, with a clear conscience, distribute software that I know is buggy.

Ross Finlayson
Live Networks, Inc.
http://www.live555.com/

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