Release dates/announcements

[mauricep]

Whilst I understand that Mint have consciously chosen not to have a release schedule, I feel that you are missing out on a major promotion tool.

My main source of Linux news is Distrowatch and their weekly newsletter. I like to browse the "upcoming releases": http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20110418#upcoming . My favorite distro Mint is never listed, even when new releases are coming up. A missed opportunity.

Also consider that planned launches can create excitement and press.

Then there is also the fact that not having a release schedule other than "about a month after Ubuntu releases" looks unprofessional.

I think this would be a simple step that would be well within the growing Mint communities abilities. At the very least, someone should email the Distrowatch maintainer and give him some kind of provisional release date at least so that Mint appears on that list.

Best wishes,

[JasonLG]

Mint is released when it's ready this is already a well know fact. The Mint devs are more concerned with releasing a stable quality product then setting some arbitrary date.

[hemimaniac]

Yes and look at the problems other distros have with a committed schedule release;

incomplete fixes
more bugs
half implemented changes and upgrades
pagan hacks and patches used to meet the deadline then never really sorted later (the disk check from LM(/10.04) all you need to see that in action

etc etc etc

Personally I wouldnt care if mint was released totally out of sync with other distros or even 2-4 months later so they could be properly sorted. I'd rather have something usable instead of something that acts like a "Valley Girl" that didnt get that Porsche for her sweet 16.

[Forthright]

I agree with not having a release schedule.

This is similar to what Blizzard do, renowned for releasing all their titles "When it's ready"

Some new management methodologies also show support for this approach as well.

I also agree that release dates can help create buzz; in this vein I'd recommend emulating blizzard and providing release dates only once they are very close and delays become much less likely.

[DrHu]

Then there is also the fact that not having a release schedule other than "about a month after Ubuntu releases" looks unprofessional.

I don't think that is true at all

Since people reading that release version should be able to realize that being based on Ubuntu, and being a bit different, the mint developers have to integrate any Ubuntu changes that they choose to adopt into their own system (their distribution/releases)
--However, since they are following Ubuntu's numbering scheme, you do know the version you will be getting, and they might be able to include any bug fixes that seem to plague Ubuntu from time to time, on release(s)..

Also, and let's be honest about it, no Linux desktop OS is likely to displace in any significant way any Microsoft OS or Apple OS

After all, they have more cash flow, and a platform and in the case of Microsoft OEM agreements; which is why you get a windows OS with your desktop or notebook..

Nor I dare to say, for similar reasons, the cloud computing connection, which Microsoft is now promoting for their desktop OS

--probably to compete with Google (Android/Mobile/cloud OS) and possibly Google apps or Google docs; even if there are also other Ms office suites available from other vendors..

[hemimaniac]

Then there is also the fact that not having a release schedule other than "about a month after Ubuntu releases" looks unprofessional.

Best wishes,

And ya notice after a release, we have less problems plugging the irc and the forums? maybe that time is dedicated to making it right...

So lets look at the math, #3 over all, yet less then 20% of the troubles......

Unprofessional maybe if you looking for the 0day bugs and glitches, but then again i never thot mint was here to provide that

NUFF SAID....