One option smart needs to conquer the world

[Neal Becker]

On Wednesday 22 February 2006 12:09 pm, Jeff Johnson wrote:
> On Feb 22, 2006, at 11:02 AM, Neal Becker wrote:
> > When I talk about smart on fedora lists, there is a lot of
> > resistance to the
> > idea of a package system that would automatically downgrade
> > packages.  This,
> > they say, is not safe.
> >
> > What about a configuration option to prevent downgrading, or only
> > allow it by
> > manual override?  That should satisfy everyone.
>
> Hmmm, there's actually a better implementation of downgrades possible.
>
> What stresses users with downgrades is that vital or important
> information
> might be lost forever.
>
> Repackaging the files that were present and saving makes downgrades
> less risky.
>

I don't think that's the objection.  The objections I've heard stated are that 
downgrades may be unsafe.  It is argued that upgrade paths are tested but 
downgrades are not.  Personally I have no opinion on this.