call for votes on default Linux init system for jessie

To: debian-ctte@lists.debian.org, 727708@bugs.debian.org

Subject: call for votes on default Linux init system for jessie

From: Bdale Garbee <bdale@gag.com>

Date: Sat, 08 Feb 2014 12:49:37 -0700

Message-id: <87d2ixcrla.fsf@rover.gag.com>

I have carefully considered Ian's current proposal for a process and schedule to reach a next ballot on the init system issue, and do not believe it is the best way for us to proceed. The fundamental problem is that I remain as convinced now as I was when I posted my last CFV that conflating multiple questions in a single ballot is a bad idea. Our voting system works exceptionally well when we're trying to choose between multiple alternatives for a single question. But as others have observed, trying to mix questions into a matrix of alternatives in a single ballot really complicates the process. I believe it both tempts us all to take a more tactical approach to voting than appropriate, and increases the risk of stumbling over corner cases in the process which could lead to surprising results. My other concern is that while it is clearly within our constitutional right, to the best of my recollection the committee has never before issued a binding ruling on an issue not explicitly put before it. Thus, a vote on the "T vs L" question in whatever form might evolve through further discussion seems precedent-setting to me... and thus deserves to be voted on discretely, so the outcome is clear and unambiguous input to the project. I expect that Debian can and should continue to support multiple init systems for the foreseeable future. I also believe that Debian can and should take an active role working with upstream projects on software that is important to us, such as init system projects. So... I want to try and simplify this again using essentially the same ballot I put forth before, but with all the concerns raised by other committee members addressed... except for Ian's demand that we conflate the "T vs L" question in the same vote. I understand this means Ian will most likely vote further discussion as his first choice, but I sincerely hope the rest of you will not do that and instead vote this ballot to a useful conclusion. I explicitly sought and have received our project Secretary's review of the text of this ballot. Both the assertion of jurisdiction and text allowing a GR to override our conclusion incorporate his inputs. As per Constitution 6.3.1, I call for an immediate vote on the following ballot, with a voting period of one week or until the outcome is no longer in doubt: - - - start ballot - - - We exercise our power to decide in cases of overlapping jurisdiction (6.1.2) by asserting that the default init system for Linux architectures in jessie should be D systemd U upstart O openrc V sysvinit (no change) F requires further discussion Should the project pass a General Resolution before the release of "jessie" asserting a "position statement about issues of the day" on init systems, that position replaces the outcome of this vote and is adopted by the Technical Committee as its own decision. - - - end ballot - - -