[Rd] declaring package dependencies

[Dirk Eddelbuettel]

On 14 September 2013 at 19:01, Duncan Murdoch wrote:
| On 13-09-14 9:14 AM, Dirk Eddelbuettel wrote:
| >
| > On 14 September 2013 at 09:04, Duncan Murdoch wrote:
| > | On 13-09-13 12:00 PM, Dirk Eddelbuettel wrote:
| > | > But the focus here should not be on my hobby package. The focus needs to be
| > | > on how four CRAN maintainers (who do a boatload of amazing work which is
| > | > _truly_ appreciated in its thoroughness and reach) could make the life of
| > | > authors of 4800+ packages easier by communicating and planning a tad more.
| > |
| > | Let me paraphrase that:  "The CRAN maintainers do a lot of work, and it
| > | helps me a lot, but if they only did a little bit more work it would
| > | help me even more."
| > |
| > | I suspect they'd be more receptive to suggestions that had them doing
| > | less work, not more.
| >
| > Presumably that also holds for the authors of the 4800+ packages.
| 
| No, I don't think it does.  What benefit do the CRAN maintainers get 
| from them?

As explained by others in the thread, if forthcoming were more clearly
communicated, package authors would be prepared and the CRAN maintainers
would not have to explain it one-by-one as changes are implemented with no
forewarning. 

| > But my point is not the about "less", it is about "more predictable".
| > Currently, the system appears to be anything but.  We can do better.
| 
| Then go ahead.  Do better.

I am trying, eg via this discussion.

But you have now managed to sap all energy I may have had.  I am done here.

Dirk

-- 
Dirk Eddelbuettel | edd at debian.org | http://dirk.eddelbuettel.com