diff --git a/rfcs/0077-stale-issues-amendment.md b/rfcs/0077-stale-issues-amendment.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000..384343e37 --- /dev/null +++ b/rfcs/0077-stale-issues-amendment.md @@ -0,0 +1,95 @@ +--- +feature: stale-issues-amendment +start-date: 2020-10-13 +author: blaggacao +co-authors: (to be found) +shepherd-team: (names, to be nominated and accepted by RFC steering committee) +shepherd-leader: (name to be appointed by RFC steering committee) +related-issues: https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/100460, https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/100462 +--- + +# Summary +[summary]: #summary + +RFC 51 implemented the stale bot with the following motivation: + +> We have a large number of open issues that have accumulated over the years. Not all of them are still valid and need our attention. +> +> By marking stale issues, we can more easily filter issues for ones that have at least one person interested in them. + +Under the interpretation of this motivation, the definition of stale was +settled at 180 days. + +This RFC modifies the motivation for marking issues as stale: + +_A stale issue (or PR) is an issue on which the discussion has went stale. It +has no other semantic meaning than an aggregated indicator of individual +preferences (to not interact on a particular issue or PR)._ + +_Therefore, a PR goes stale after a 90 days period (vs previously 180 days) +and an issue goes stale after a 60 days period (vs previously 180 days)._ + +# Motivation +[motivation]: #motivation + +Under the renewed definition of _stale_ under this PR but the currently +applied time preiods, spectators based on their common understanding +are not told about aggregate choices as a fair proxy of chances of +success by means of the stale label. + +This discourages spectators with vested interests from promoting issues, +that are visibly exhibiting lack of interaction, and there by reduced +chances of (prompt) "success". + +An issue that hasn't been interacted with for 60 days or a PR for 90 days +and in the vas majority of cases deserve an aggregate indication of +those individual preferences for the above reason. + +Honesty and transparency are better in informing an individual's action +than preceived political correctness (judging by the discussions on RFC 51). + +# Detailed design +[design]: #detailed-design + +- Mark PRs as stale after 90 days +- Mark issues as stale after 60 days +- Keep the policy of never closing either PRs or Issues. + +# Examples and Interactions +[examples-and-interactions]: #examples-and-interactions + +It should be noted under this section, that it only takes a comment +to un-satale an issue or PR. + +It should be made clear, that stale does **not** mean either of +the following: + +- bad +- unimportant +- invalid +- not useful + +Or any similar deminishing interpretations. Stale just means an aggregate +indcator of individual's choices to not interact. + +# Drawbacks +[drawbacks]: #drawbacks + +With a renewed definition of the word _stale_ and removing an overly emotional +meaning by virtue of this very PR, there is no reason to adversely interpret +a bot spelling out the facts. + +# Alternatives +[alternatives]: #alternatives + +No alternatives have been considered. + +# Unresolved questions +[unresolved]: #unresolved-questions + +At the time of writing, no unresolved questions apear of relevance. + +# Future work +[future]: #future-work + +No future work is required.