How often should Fossify apps be updated?

[naveensingh]

Let me know your preference below!

[tswistak]

It heavily depends on the app, some like Flashlight won't need updates at all (unless there are new translations), and some should get regular bug fixes as they are important (Messages, Phone).

However, if you'd like a constant update schedule, I doubt it will be possible to do it more often than once a month, unless you want to release two or more apps in one day.

[naveensingh]

Good points!

[Darkoholic]

@naveensingh First of all thank you for all the Fossify apps! I do have a request and a issue with the Launcher. It feels laggy or like 30fps, when swiping from page to page. If this could be fixed it would be the perfect launcher :)

[naveensingh]

Update(s) inbound!

[Darkoholic]

Excited!
Can you please also make the option to make newly installed apps automatically show on the home page 🙏🏻

[Aga-C]

If you have any requests regarding Launcher, please raise them in Launcher's repository. Thanks!

[naveensingh]

BTW, that feature is already requested so you may want to subscribe to that issue: FossifyOrg/Launcher#26

[nathanzachary]

I believe that updates should be released only when necessary (meaning security fixes or new features). The idea that there should be a new release just to fit a cadence or schedule doesn't take into consideration software that is essentially "feature complete".

[naveensingh]

The idea that there should be a new release just to fit a cadence or schedule doesn't take into consideration software that is essentially "feature complete".

Totally agree. I created this poll mostly to understand what people expect, not necessarily to lock every Fossify app into a strict release schedule.

[afarah1]

Does this release schedule mean a PR review schedule? Because if PRs aren't reviewed on the same schedule there's nothing to release. Are weekly reviews even realistic with current maintainers? I've had a PR opened since December, I addressed all reviews and it was left open for months, until three days ago when there were enough conflicts that maintaining it open and up to date was no longer worth it for me. I just use my own Fossify build with my changes, and disabled updates. There are other PRs even older than mine which also addressed all comments but were left open to rot and now have several conflicts. And I'm not talking about complex changes, this is stuff that can be reviewed in minutes. So I think this should be addressed before committing to a release schedule. I understand your work is voluntary and that maintaining such a project with a day job is demanding, and I understand slow reviews, I just don't think a commitment can be made to short release schedule given the current state of reviews.

[naveensingh]

Yes, going forward, most PRs will be reviewed and merged on time. I was a bit busy last year (don't ask) and what extra time I had was mostly spent on releasing the apps and/or fixing critical bugs. In your specific case, I'm not yet sure if the feature should be added. As far as I know, such an issue has never been reported before and I don't want to merge changes just to revert later.

I understand your work is voluntary and that maintaining such a project with a day job is demanding, and I'm not complaining about slow reviews, I just don't think a commitment can be made to short release schedule given the current state of reviews.

That shouldn't be an issue now, going full-time. Ask me in a few months if it was a good idea 😅🚀

[afarah1]

Good luck, Naveen!

[nehemiagurl]

i voted "only when necessary" but that answer is actually really flexible. i have apps updating every day, i have ones updating almost never. i think trying to lock yourself to a certain rhythm is less effective than just updating whenever you need to.

[naveensingh]

Thanks for the input, everyone. We agree that following a strict release schedule is not helpful. Updates will be released as needed, but I'll still aim for a monthly(ish) frequency to keep translations and static data (holidays, phone number metadata, etc.) up to date.