Software Release Notes for Beta and 6.1.2 Nightlies?

[Yannzola]

I know that these are not official releases... but is there any way to publish occasional "Software Release Notes" with the 6.1.2 nightlies and betas? Perhaps updated whenever a new bug has been tackled?

y.

[MrC]

I agree. It is more difficult to test new or changed portions of the code otherwise.

I would love to see an accumulative change list included with each build.

[kdf]

Anyone with email addy's in the cc-list are already notified when a bug is marked fixed or any updates. There is also a checkins mailing list for the truly obsessed: http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/checkins

-kdf

[MrC]

Hmmm. Clicking through dozens of links is not my, nor probably Yannzola's, idea of release notes.

[kdf]

Quoting MrC <MrC.1tv8on (AT) no-mx (DOT) forums.slimdevices.com>:

>
> Hmmm. Clicking through dozens of links is not my, nor probably
> Yannzola's, idea of release notes.

ok, your choice.
-kdf

[dean]

On Aug 16, 2005, at 9:35 AM, MrC wrote:
> Hmmm. Clicking through dozens of links is not my, nor probably
> Yannzola's, idea of release notes.

It may be possible for the build script to create a raw changelog
from the checkin comments. It would certainly be better than nothing.

[Robin Bowes]

MrC wrote:
> I agree. It is more difficult to test new or changed portions of the
> code otherwise.
>
> I would love to see an accumulative change list included with each
> build.

If you use svn to get the latest code, instead of downloading betas or
nightlies, you can use the "svn log" command to see a list of all
checkin comments between revisions.

For example:

# svn log -r 3979:3981
------------------------------------------------------------------------
r3979 | dsully | 2005-08-16 01:02:18 +0100 (Tue, 16 Aug 2005) | 2 lines

Bug: N/A
Description: Reset encoding suspects for v1.x tags if we've added
iso-8859-1 to the list.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
r3980 | kdf | 2005-08-16 02:02:40 +0100 (Tue, 16 Aug 2005) | 5 lines

Bug: 1659
Description: Max Spicer pointed out that I had missed the 'add'
function in the changes for this bug.


------------------------------------------------------------------------
r3981 | kdf | 2005-08-16 07:16:28 +0100 (Tue, 16 Aug 2005) | 4 lines

Bug: N/A
Description: Add mixerlinks to Browse Artwork


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternatively, it might be possible for the slim developers to include
such a dump in the nightly release build process?

R.
--
http://robinbowes.com

If a man speaks in a forest,
and his wife's not there,
is he still wrong?

[Robin Bowes]

dean blackketter wrote:
>
> On Aug 16, 2005, at 9:35 AM, MrC wrote:
>
>> Hmmm. Clicking through dozens of links is not my, nor probably
>> Yannzola's, idea of release notes.
>
>
> It may be possible for the build script to create a raw changelog from
> the checkin comments. It would certainly be better than nothing.

It is - see my previous post!

R.
--
http://robinbowes.com

If a man speaks in a forest,
and his wife's not there,
is he still wrong?

[Robin Bowes]

kdf wrote:
> Quoting MrC <MrC.1tv8on (AT) no-mx (DOT) forums.slimdevices.com>:
>
>
>>Hmmm. Clicking through dozens of links is not my, nor probably
>>Yannzola's, idea of release notes.
>
>
> ok, your choice.

I would agree. A load of links does *not* constitute release notes.

I think "svn log" could be the answer. It would be nice if it could
handle something like: svn log -t v6.1.1:6.1.2 but I don't think it can.

R.
--
http://robinbowes.com

If a man speaks in a forest,
and his wife's not there,
is he still wrong?

[Yannzola]

Hmmm. Clicking through dozens of links is not my, nor probably Yannzola's, idea of release notes.

Yup, I'm familiar with how it works currently... I was suggesting release notes as an =alternative= to digging through the bugzilla DB and/or subscibing to every bug.

Something brief would be nice... To clarify, I'm not suggesting that these release notes be updated nightly. Only updated as major fixes/new features are introduced. Similiar to how the current 6.1.1 "SlimServer Software Release Notes" are written... which... er... are already out of date (unless 6.1.2 is still considered unofficial?)

[kdf]

Quoting Yannzola <Yannzola.1tva2n (AT) no-mx (DOT) forums.slimdevices.com>:

> Something brief would be nice... To clarify, I'm not suggesting that
> these release notes be updated nightly. Only updated as major fixes/new
> features are introduced. Similiar to how the current 6.1.1 "SlimServer
> Software Release Notes" are written... which... er... are already out
> of date (unless 6.1.2 is still considered unofficial?)

something brief, means someone has to go through and edit. This means Dan, who
is already overworked as it is. Automatied script is the way to go, even if
its more than you might want.

Yes, 6.1.2 is still unofficial. Any official release does have release notes.

-kdf

[kdf]

Quoting Robin Bowes <robin-lists (AT) robinbowes (DOT) com>:

> kdf wrote:
> > Quoting MrC <MrC.1tv8on (AT) no-mx (DOT) forums.slimdevices.com>:
> >
> >
> >>Hmmm. Clicking through dozens of links is not my, nor probably
> >>Yannzola's, idea of release notes.
> >
> >
> > ok, your choice.
>
> I would agree. A load of links does *not* constitute release notes.
>
yes, I totally understand the need for 'someone else' to make the effort.

-k

[MrC]

Quoting MrC <MrC.1tv8on (AT) no-mx (DOT) forums.slimdevices.com>:

>
> Hmmm. Clicking through dozens of links is not my, nor probably
> Yannzola's, idea of release notes.

ok, your choice.
-kdf

Was that comment necessary and useful?

[Jacob Potter]

On 8/16/05, MrC <MrC.1tvbxb (AT) no-mx (DOT) forums.slimdevices.com> wrote:
> Was that comment necessary and useful?

One could make the case that the "not my idea of release notes"
comment wasn't necessary either :)

I'll whip up a script to generate a nice pretty HTML log out of the
SVN checkins. It's a pretty reasonable request; not everyone wants to
follow the checkins mailing list.

- Jacob

[Robin Bowes]

kdf wrote:
> Quoting Robin Bowes <robin-lists (AT) robinbowes (DOT) com>:
>
>
>>kdf wrote:
>>
>>>Quoting MrC <MrC.1tv8on (AT) no-mx (DOT) forums.slimdevices.com>:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Hmmm. Clicking through dozens of links is not my, nor probably
>>>>Yannzola's, idea of release notes.
>>>
>>>
>>>ok, your choice.
>>
>>I would agree. A load of links does *not* constitute release notes.
>>
>
> yes, I totally understand the need for 'someone else' to make the effort.

Easy tiger.

I suggested a solution as well as agreeing with the problem.

R.
--
http://robinbowes.com

If a man speaks in a forest,
and his wife's not there,
is he still wrong?

[MrC]

On 8/16/05, MrC <MrC.1tvbxb (AT) no-mx (DOT) forums.slimdevices.com> wrote:
> Was that comment necessary and useful?

One could make the case that the "not my idea of release notes"
comment wasn't necessary either :)

- Jacob
I think the reply was necessary, in that our requests didn't feel heard. But I'd agree the tone came off poorly. That wasn't my intent. We asked for peanut butter, and were given the reponse "there's a peanut bush over there - go pick the peanuts". I suppose I'd like a suggestion or idea to be evaluated on its merits and utility - not sidesteped or disregarded. I liked the way Dean responded to the request... opon, inviting, and full of possibility.

[kdf]

Quoting Robin Bowes <robin-lists (AT) robinbowes (DOT) com>:


> > yes, I totally understand the need for 'someone else' to make the effort.
>
> Easy tiger.
>
> I suggested a solution as well as agreeing with the problem.
>
and I was agreeing. I do honestly understand the need to not have to put in
effort. The problem is, someone has to. In the case of manually writing up
brief notes every night (for non-release), that would mean 'someone else' is
Dan. Considering how often he is harassed over every little code change, I can
also understand how little motivation there is in having to put more effort
into making what is already openly available, into something 'easily accessed'
and catering to the desire of each individual. Trust me, as agreeable as you
are all trying to be right now, there is no way you will all agree on the
layout and content of said release notes.

really, this should be fairly obvious.
-kdf

[kdf]

Quoting Jacob Potter <jacobdp (AT) gmail (DOT) com>:

> I'll whip up a script to generate a nice pretty HTML log out of the
> SVN checkins. It's a pretty reasonable request; not everyone wants to
> follow the checkins mailing list.

Jacob, as always you rock!
-kdf

[Yannzola]

Quoting Jacob Potter <jacobdp (AT) gmail (DOT) com>:

> I'll whip up a script to generate a nice pretty HTML log out of the
> SVN checkins. It's a pretty reasonable request; not everyone wants to
> follow the checkins mailing list.

Jacob, as always you rock!
-kdf


An automated annotation of the SVN checkins would suit my needs just fine! Heck, I don't even need HTML, plaintext would work. But if you are outputting HTML... linking it in from http://www.slimdevices.com/dev_nightly.html would make the most sense. E.g.: "6.1.2 - This is the maintenance branch for the 6.1 release. Download this version to get small, safe bug fixes added since the 6.1.1 release. <Release Notes>

Thanks to all for responding... sorry 'bout the rest.

your pal,
y.

(P.S. Yes Jacob, you do indeed rock)

[kdf]

Quoting MrC <MrC.1tvcun (AT) no-mx (DOT) forums.slimdevices.com>:

>
> Jacob Potter Wrote:
> > On 8/16/05, MrC <MrC.1tvbxb (AT) no-mx (DOT) forums.slimdevices.com>
> > wrote:
> > > Was that comment necessary and useful?
> >
> > One could make the case that the "not my idea of release notes"
> > comment wasn't necessary either :)
> >
> > - Jacob
> I think the reply was necessary, in that our requests didn't feel
> heard.

Maybe I should mention again that I am not a Slim Devices employee. I cannot
answer with "why yes, great plan, we'll change our process". I have no right to
commit anyone at Slim Devices to any course of action (though I do my share of
battles, winning and losing). I can only point out what is available now from a
user perspective. I am, just like everyone else, just a user. The only
difference is that I can actually commit code. I'm sorry that you feel my
answers were in some way implying that your requests are denied or not heard.
I felt I was answering with all the information that I have.

As for my own opinion, I think its clear that I am not a fan of duplication of
effort. An automated script would be brilliant. Having a volunteer step
forward to whip one up, doubly brilliant. Hopefully the effort will be
properly appreciated.
-kdf

[Jacob Potter]

On 8/16/05, kdf <slim-mail (AT) deane-freeman (DOT) com> wrote:
> Maybe I should mention again that I am not a Slim Devices employee. I cannot
> answer with "why yes, great plan, we'll change our process". I have no right to
> commit anyone at Slim Devices to any course of action (though I do my share of
> battles, winning and losing). I can only point out what is available now from a
> user perspective. I am, just like everyone else, just a user. The only
> difference is that I can actually commit code.

Same goes for me. Of those who've posted in this thread, the only one
who can actually change stuff on the Slim Devices nightly build
servers is Dean.

- Jacob

[Yannzola]

Kudos to kdf and Jacob and to all the other volunteers! I, and many others =do= appreciate your efforts =very much=. You both rock!

y.

[dean]

On Aug 16, 2005, at 11:51 AM, Jacob Potter wrote:

> On 8/16/05, kdf <slim-mail (AT) deane-freeman (DOT) com> wrote:
>
>> Maybe I should mention again that I am not a Slim Devices
>> employee. I cannot
>> answer with "why yes, great plan, we'll change our process". I
>> have no right to
>> commit anyone at Slim Devices to any course of action (though I do
>> my share of
>> battles, winning and losing). I can only point out what is
>> available now from a
>> user perspective. I am, just like everyone else, just a user.
>> The only
>> difference is that I can actually commit code.
>>
>
> Same goes for me. Of those who've posted in this thread, the only one
> who can actually change stuff on the Slim Devices nightly build
> servers is Dean.
Actually, that's not true.

1. The makerelease.pl script is executed to create our nightly builds.
2. Dan's in control of the nightly builds these days, so if there's
something that needs to get done outside makerelease.pl, we'd need
his help. :)