[comp.bugs.4bsd] Testing BSD sources before they go out

argv%turnpike@Sun.COM (Dan Heller) (10/03/89)

Whenever I release anything to the net, I always post a general
announcement that I'm going to do so (not to the net, but to all
my friends) and those who are interested generally vounteer to
compile and run it once and see if it's ok.[%]  Perhaps if the BSD
folks did the same thing, we wouldn't have these problems.  There
are so many people out there hungry for these programs (sources
in general for those eager to learn) that if, before providing
sources that "may not compile", you post a simple announcement:

    We're about to release a program which may not compile --
    In fact, we don't even know what it does.
    Would someone like to volunteer to test it and send us any
    comments or bugs?  In return, we'll acknowledge your help
    and send you one (1) Californial lottery ticket.

And then provide some ftp-able place and wait about a week and
skim your mail looking for obvious and common problems.  Fix it
up and then post it.  You're never going to be completely bug-free,
but at least you'll be posting stuff that compiles and how much
effort did it take?

-----
[%] These are usually friends who use architectures and unixes that
I don't have access to.  portability you know...

dan <island!argv@sun.com>
-----
My postings reflect my opinion only -- not the opinion of any company.