Re: Planned changes for bugzilla.kernel.org to reduce the "Bugzilla blues"

Thorsten Leemhuis
2022-09-30T08:47:36Z

On 29.09.22 15:04, Konstantin Ryabitsev wrote:
> On Thu, Sep 29, 2022 at 12:22:35PM +0000, Artem S. Tashkinov wrote:
> [...]
> We do have ability to fund development efforts -- LF has been the primary
> sponsor behind public-inbox.org over the past 3 years. However, there must be
> a clear, strong, and well-articulated mandate from the community. From what I
> heard, the vast majority of maintainers simply want a web form that would
> allow someone to:
>
> 1. clearly state what kernel version they are using
> 2. clearly describe what they were trying to do
> 3. explain what they expected vs. what they got
> 4. attach any files
> 5. give this bug report a unique identifier

Sometimes there are days where I think "let's go down the 'do everything
by mail' rabbit hole some more and couple a pastebin and a somewhat
improved regzbot with an app (usable both locally and on the web) that
helps users preparing a report they can then send with their usual
mailer". And then there are days "ohh, no, that might be a totally
stupid thing to do". :-/

> Then a designated person would look through the bug report and either:
>
> a. quick-close it (with the usual "talk to your distro" or "don't use a
> tainted kernel" etc)

I think having some app would be good here, as it could help gathering
everything and catch problems early, to prevent users from spending a
lot of time on preparing a report that will be ignored.

> b. identify the responsible maintainers and notify them
>
> The hard part is not technical -- the hard part is that "designated person."

+1

> Being a bugmaster is a thankless job that leads to burnout, regardless of how
> well you are paid. Everyone is constantly irate at you from both ends [...]

Tell me about it. Nevertheless I sometimes wonder if I should give it a
try once I got all this regression tracking thing established somewhat
more, as in the end there I'm kind of a bugmaster for regressions already...

> Before we try to fix/replace bugzilla,

Just to be sure: I assume you meant "replacing bugzilla or fixing it for
real" here, and not my band-aid efforts outlined at the start of this
thread? Or do you have a problem with what I proposed to at least make
things less bad for now?

> we really need to figure out the entire
> process and pinpoint who is going to be the one in charge of bug reports. If
> you think that LF should establish a fund for a position like that, then you
> should probably approach LF fellows (Greg KH, Shuah Khan), who can then talk
> to LF management. The IT team will be happy to support you with the tooling,
> but tooling should come second to that -- otherwise we'll just be replacing an
> old and rusty dumpster on fire with a new and shiny dumpster on fire.

+1

Ciao, Thorsten