[Distutils] What's up with PyPi maintenance?

[Chris Barker]

On Fri, Mar 18, 2016 at 9:16 AM, Brett Cannon <brett at python.org> wrote:

> When do we expect that? A lot of people rely on the current system, we
>> really need to find a way to maintain it 'till it's replaced.
>>
>
> Do realize that this is in regards to the search box, not the ability for
> PyPI to keep standing to serve files. Obviously if something happened to
> file serving or some critical aspect of PyPI then that would get addressed
> ASAP. But fixing a search box is not critical infrastructure so I don't
> think it warrants a "all hands on deck" call for help
>

well, it's not just the search box, it's also "pip search" from the command
line.

And sure -- still not an all hands on deck, but maybe a note on the issue
that the team is aware of the issue, but too understaffed and focused on
the new and better to go in and fix it. just today, another note on the
issue:

" Is the issue even acknowledged?"

https://bitbucket.org/pypa/pypi/issues/412/my-package-doesnt-show-up-in-search

This really gives the impression of a non-maintained system.

I'm not trying to be critical of a volunteer effort here -- but maybe we
really do need a call for help out there. Honestly, I, for one, am poorly
qualified, but it's likely there is someone out there with the requisite
skills tha might want to help.

-CHB


> over trying to get the replacement code done instead (I get people use the
> search box, but there are well-known alternatives for searching PyPI).
>

like pip search? also apparently broken?


> In all honesty, if people want a functioning search box on PyPI I would
> say they should submit a patch to use https://cse.google.com/cse/ .
>

Maybe -- actually, it turns out a plain old google search for "PyPi package
name" seems to work, once you've given Google a chance to index it.

So in the meantime maybe the search box should be removed in favor of a
note suggesting a google search -- or a link that does a google search for
you. A broken search is a really bad thing to have on a web site. I'm sure
I'm not the only one that thought that the fact that search didn't find it
meant that that it hadn't been uploaded properly.

-CHB

-- 

Christopher Barker, Ph.D.
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