On Tue, Mar 07, 2006 at 04:21:10PM -0500, Benjamin Seidenberg wrote: > Package: bugs.debian.org > Severity: minor > > A user on irc was just asking how to reopen a bug, and after I told > him to send reopen XXXX to control@, he made a comment that implied he > thought that was something only a developer could do. This is > understandable since the directions for the BTS are behind the links > "Developers' information on how to use the system" and "Developers' > information on manipulating bugs by email". I would suggest dropping > the word "Developers'" on this so that it is more friendly to the > average user.
While ordinary users technically *can* do it, it's often preferable for them to send a message to the bug explaining the situation and asking that the maintainer reopen it. The reason why this is preferable is that it's quite common (and understandable) for ordinary users unfamiliar with the package in question to believe that the problem they are experiencing is the same as an existing bug, whereas in fact it is not; the maintainer usually has the necessary experience to determine whether the bug should be reopened or filed as a new bug. Users with the necessary experience to decide accurately whether bugs should be reopened or not are, I feel, often shading over into the category of developers. Cheers, -- Colin Watson [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
