Comments on: Tension in Debian changelogs http://blog.tbble.org/archives/2008/05/05/tension-in-debian-changelogs/ A place to store words until I need them. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:49:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: TBBle http://blog.tbble.org/archives/2008/05/05/tension-in-debian-changelogs/comment-page-1/#comment-39828 TBBle Wed, 07 May 2008 01:34:17 +0000 http://blog.tbble.org/archives/2008/05/05/tension-in-debian-changelogs/#comment-39828 I agree, the changelogs need to stand alone and useful in the absence of the source or knowledge thereof. The changelogs probably <b>don't</b> need to be useful to someone to whom the package is not useful though. I don't mind the occasional "{obscure reference} release" comment at the top of a changelog, though. Of course, I have <a href='http://packages.debian.org/changelogs/pool/main/p/php4/php4_4.4.4-8+etch4/changelog#versionversion3:4.0.6-6' rel="nofollow">a good reason</a> to think those are fine. I don't actually use them myself generally. I agree, the changelogs need to stand alone and useful in the absence of the source or knowledge thereof.

The changelogs probably don’t need to be useful to someone to whom the package is not useful though.

I don’t mind the occasional “{obscure reference} release” comment at the top of a changelog, though. Of course, I have a good reason to think those are fine. I don’t actually use them myself generally.

]]> By: Russell Coker http://blog.tbble.org/archives/2008/05/05/tension-in-debian-changelogs/comment-page-1/#comment-39750 Russell Coker Mon, 05 May 2008 08:13:14 +0000 http://blog.tbble.org/archives/2008/05/05/tension-in-debian-changelogs/#comment-39750 Personally I don't mind what tense it's in - just as long as it's clear and makes sense. One thing I really hate is when DDs write changelogs with obscure jokes or which reference other changelogs. Each entry should stand along and be understood by a reasonable person who's skill level is lower than that of the average DD. Obviously there are people who can just run diff on the code to determine the difference, the changelog is not for their benefit! Personally I don’t mind what tense it’s in - just as long as it’s clear and makes sense.

One thing I really hate is when DDs write changelogs with obscure jokes or which reference other changelogs.

Each entry should stand along and be understood by a reasonable person who’s skill level is lower than that of the average DD. Obviously there are people who can just run diff on the code to determine the difference, the changelog is not for their benefit!

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