Re: Evolution 2.0 and GNOME 2.6

[JP Rosevear <jpr ximian com>]

On Sat, 2004-01-31 at 13:10, Murray Cumming wrote:
> On Fri, 2004-01-30 at 22:51, JP Rosevear wrote:
> > Fellow GNOMErs,
> > 
> > In order to ensure that Evolution meets the GNOME project's standards of
> > quality and usability, we'd like to propose that the Evolution client be
> > included in GNOME 2.8 and not GNOME 2.6.
> 
> That's a pity. What changed your opinion? Are there any particular
> issues?
> 
> >   The whole proposal is as
> > follows:
> > 
> > Phase 1:
> > Evolution Data Server 1.0 ships with GNOME 2.6
> 
> When we first thought that evolution 2.0 might not be ready in time, the
> release-team considered this. But I think we decided that
> 1. API should not be in the Desktop if no Desktop module uses it.

Well I believe the panel applet can use it.

> 2. API should not be in the Platform if it's not mature and stable.

We don't want it in the platform this early, we want to make sure the
API is correct before committing to API/ABI compat.

> >  and Evolution 2.0 Ships
> > in June.  We've taken some of the constructive criticism to heart on the
> > issue of the usefulness (and ease of use) of the e-d-s API without
> > Evolution and Chris Toshok produced a good API extension to obtain lists
> > of address books, calendars, task lists and the default source for each
> > of those.  We're also willing to write a capplet that allows the
> > defaults to be changed if thats deemed necessary and an allowable
> > breakage of the UI freeze.  We think this is a good idea to further encourage
> > tie-ins like Ross's contact applet, panel calendar support and the gaim buddy
> > stuff.
> 
> I don't think any distros will ship e-d-s until they ship an evolution
> that uses it, because without evolution there isn't much for thing to
> integrate with through e-d-s.

Point taken.

> > Phase 2:
> > Evolution Data Server and Evolution 2.2 ships with GNOME 2.8.  Evolution
> > 2.2 would be a bug and polish only release with few new features
> > (essentially bounties and more ui polish).  
> > 
> > We are still really committed to getting Evolution proper in sync with
> > and part of the GNOME desktop releases.
> 
> Let's see what definite opinions other people have, but I personally
> think you should just try to follow the 2.6 schedule for e-d-s, but that
> it would be meaningless to actually put e-d-s in 2.6 without evolution.

The Evolution team agrees.  The above points and Miloslav's point about
e-d-s and Evolution 1.4 not working in harmony (which will be the
obvious choice of distros shipping Evolution) makes it fairly obvious
the e-d-s release isn't a good fit in GNOME 2.6, so we'll withdraw that
part of the proposal.

We still really want to be part of GNOME 2.8 though and we're very
committed to that goal.  We think that e-d-s and Evolution can really
provide some cool functionality that can drive the desktop forward - the
first round of bounties have only scratched the surface. 

We'll move forward with GNOME 2.8 in firmly in mind.

Thanks,

-JP
-- 
JP Rosevear <jpr@ximian.com>
Ximian, Inc.