Debian Project Leader Andreas Tille announced today that their “FTP Master” team is being disbanded and instead establishing the Debian Archive Operations Team “Archive Team” and DFSG, Licensing and New Packages Team “DFSG Team” in its place.
The DFSG, Licensing & New Packages Team spin-off from the FTP Master team is formally described as:
“The DFSG, Licensing & New Packages Team ensures that new packages entering the Debian archive comply with the Debian Free Software Guidelines and relevant licensing requirements. Its responsibilities include:
* Accepting or rejecting packages in the NEW queue, covering:
– DFSG acceptability and licensing for both old and new packages
– Package quality standards for new packages* Communicating transparently about the status of packages in NEW.
* Ensuring packages respect the DFSG and applicable licensing and legal requirements, and removing those that conflict.
* Applying rules and standards for package acceptance in line with the Debian community’s consensus, and avoiding the introduction of additional requirements without such feedback.
* Documenting the team’s policies for accepting packages.”
The new Debian Archive Operations Team also spun out from the FTP Master crew is described as:
“The Debian Archive Operations Team oversees and maintains the well-being of Debian’s official package repositories. Team members are responsible for tasks including:
* Operating the archive and maintaining its infrastructure (e.g. tools for processing uploads, moving packages across suites).
* Supporting other DPL Delegates in the execution of their delegated tasks.
* Managing packagages handled byhand currently.
* Removing packages when requested or required, whether as part of routine maintenance or in exceptional circumstances.
* Maintaining package state and archive structure via priority and section override files.
* Maintaining the software used to run the archive, namely the Debian Archive Kit (dak).
* Documenting the team’s key processes, especially those related to releases, to support transparency and contributor involvement.”
The same Debian developers are appointed by the DPL to each of these two new teams: Thorsten Alteholz, Ansgar Burchardt, Joerg Jaspert, and Luke W. Faraone.
