[tex-live] TL13 status

[Philip TAYLOR]

David Carlisle wrote:

> Sorry Phil, but the idea of a freeze for package maintenance is a
> non-starter.
> Package maintainers are almost all volunteers who work when they have
> time or when user requests build up so much they find time or whatever.
> 
> They are almost all divorced from the TL release schedule. They can't be
> asked to not make updates because TL is nearing release, would you ask
> them also to not make any updates near a miktex release or one of the
> linux distros or... When _would_ you let them make changes?

Point taken, but I am not suggesting that they should /cease/
development; rather, that in parallel with development (which
can go to CTAN as and when), they should, for the period leading
up to a DVD burn, focus on fixing any reported bugs that would
require the DVD to need a network update shortly after installation.

> As for the original question of having the year in the TL installation.
> It doesn't do any harm and offers an easy rollback mechanism, especially
> as has been mentioned if the TL package mechanisms have been updated. If
> the year was not there and TL updated in-place it would require a more
> complicated update and rollback mechanism for no obvious gain to the end
> user.
> 
> It really isn't clear what you are pushing for in this thread.

"Pushing for" would be an exaggeration :  "suggesting for consideration"
would be closer to my position.  There are probably several
barely-related ideas :

1) That to burn a DVD at the start of a TL cycle is perhaps sub-optimal;
this is tied in with the explanation above about good solid
field-testing and bug-fixing before the DVDs are burned.

2) That the idea of TL'<year> may be worth reviewing :  whilst it is
clear that there are advantages for the TL team in having a <year>
directory, so that they do not have to worry about interactions with
older components, it is by no means obvious that the benefits are
as clear for the end user.

Enough for now; end-of-day tiredness does not make for clear thinking.
** Phil.