Re: BitBucket: GPL-ed *notrademarkhere* clone

Jeff Garzik
2003-03-02T19:51:30Z

H. Peter Anvin wrote:
> Jeff Garzik wrote:
>
>>
>> My counter-question is, why not improve an _existing_ open source SCM
>> to read and write BitKeeper files? Why do we need yet another brand
>> new project?
>>
>
> I don't disagree with that. However, the question you posited was
> "would one be useful", and I think the answer is unequivocally yes.

Ok, I'll grant that. :)

I think a BK clone is detrimental to the overall open source SCM world,
is my main point. I was thinking more along the lines of "useful to
'the cause'" ;-)

> Furthermore, I don't agree with the "compatibility == bad" assumption I
> read into your message.

Well, I disagree with that assumption too :) My main objection is that
a BK clone would divert attention from another effort (such as OpenCM),
with the end result that neither the BK clone nor OpenCM are as good (or
better) than BitKeeper.

>> AFAICS, a BK clone would just further divide resources and mindshare.
>> I personally _want_ an open source SCM that is as good as, or better,
>> than BitKeeper. The open source world needs that, and BitKeeper needs
>> the competition. A BK clone may work with BitKeeper files, but I
>> don't see it ever being as good as BK, because it will always be
>> playing catch-up.
>
>
> Yes. Personally, I've spent quite a bit of time with OpenCM after a
> suggestion from Ted T'so. It's looking quite promising to me, although
> I haven't yet used it to maintain a large project.

Interesting... Here's the link, in case others want to check it out: