[_fbsd_chat_] why the different eol lengths ? [ was: Re: [FreeBSD-Announce] HEADS UP: FreeBSD 7.2 EoL coming soon ]

[Matthew Seaman]

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On 08/06/2010 15:43:30, spellberg_robert wrote:
> question:
>   if version "x dot y_plus_one" is "better" [ for some definition of
> that word ] than version "x dot y",
>   then why is support for the "better" version being terminated, by
> --design--, before support for the "less_than_better" version ?

If you've only got a few machines -- dozens maybe -- then it could well
be feasible for you to upgrade to each new release about as soon as it
comes out.  Making new releases on each major branch about every 6 -- 8
months serves such users pretty well.

On the other hand, if you've got thousands of machines, then upgrading
all that lot is a serious undertaking and you'ld prefer to space such
episodes out to about once every 2 years.

But as an all volunteer project with limited resources, it just isn't
feasible to have more than about 4 or 5 release branches all under
support at the same time.

Can you think of a way of satisfying all those requirements, other than
by taking a few selected releases and declaring that they will have an
extended support lifetime?

	Cheers,

	Matthew

- -- 
Dr Matthew J Seaman MA, D.Phil.                   7 Priory Courtyard
                                                  Flat 3
PGP: http://www.infracaninophile.co.uk/pgpkey     Ramsgate
JID: matthew at infracaninophile.co.uk               Kent, CT11 9PW
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