[IPython-dev] RFC: Launchpad, Trac and bugs

[Brian Granger]

> we'll see what we end up doing with the recent bzr history, but the
> fact that we're moving to bzr/launchpad for all code work is now a
> done deal.  What I'd like to do is to solicit a bit of feedback on
> what to do with bug tracking, because there I'm a bit less decided.
> We have informally discussed this already in bits and pieces, but now
> I'd like to make a final decision.
>
> The options seem to be:
>
> 1. Keep using Trac for all bugs.  Launchpad even explicitly supports
> linking all bug reports for a project to an external tracker (we'd
> have to register the IPython Trac somehow, but that should be easy).

-1

> 2. Move to the Launchpad bug system for all new bugs.  We could keep
> existing open tickets on Trac and gradually close them, but mark the
> main page indicating that no new bugs should be filed there.

+1

> #2 has the advantage of integrating with the rest of  Launchpad a
> little better, and this ties us in with other projects, the Ubuntu
> package database, etc.  But I have to  admit that so far, I like Trac
> much more than Launchpad for project management/bug tracking.  For all
> of SVN's flaws, trac is actually really nice and usable, while the
> Launchpad site's web interface is very, very clunky.  Simple things
> take a lot of clicking around to do, their documentation is hideous,
> etc.  I love the hosting that launchpad provides, but the system feels
> very, very immature in terms of everyday usability.

I agree with your assesment of Trac vs launchpad in this respect - but
launchpad development seems to be moving fast and we can always give
them feedback about the interface.  Given the fact that we are moving
to a development model that has many branches, I think it is really
important to be able to associate tickets with branches and have
everything integrated.  So many of the things that make Trac nice for
tickets (timeline, code browser, etc) will go away with our code on
launchpad.  Plus, I don't like the idea of people going to our Trac
site - one of the main ways I assess an open source project is to look
at their Trac timeline.  Our timeline will be empty, giving the
misleading impression that IPython is dead.  Also, keeping Trac around
means that we are loosing one of the biggest benefits of launchpad -
that we don't have to do any admin.

Cheers,

Brian

> On the flip side, launchpad has lots of use, hence one hopes lots of
> development, while I worry that Trac seems to be slowing down (0.11
> isn't even out yet, and it has been in that state for a looong time).
>
> So I'd like to hear opinions on the most sensible approach forward.
> One way or another we'll keep all filed tickets we have on both
> systems, so it's just a matter of deciding, and appropriately
> informing our users, what the *official* system will be in the future.
>
> cheers,
>
> f
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