[ILUG] Seeking Alternatives

[John P . Looney]

On Wed, Nov 29, 2000 at 10:28:30AM +0000, David Neary mentioned:
> We use Clearcase here in work - and despite Kate's glowing endorsement,
> I have to say that I like it. Works well on Linux, and saves you having
> to mount views over NFS from Solaris, which we have had huge problems
> with here. Does anyone, as a matter of interest, know what's wrong with
> Linux's implementation of NFS? 

 I've never used it, full stop. Motorola had a problem with it on Solaris
years ago, where there was some wierd interaction that caused code
corruption, over a very long period of time. Nasty. Really nasty. It's the
sort of thing that can happen when you replace a big chunk of the OS's
filesystem code, Is supppose.

 Other places that I've been have needed a fulltime clearcase admin.
Clearcase is a perfect example of a technological solution to a social
problem. The problem being that developers have to sometimes change other
peoples code - when that happens, the developer should clear it with the
maintainer, and make sure they are on the same wavelength. If two people
are editing the same code; that's a project management issue. Clearcase
lets project managers duck this, and get it to mind people's code for
them.

 Also, clearcase lets you set hard locks on files. I've heard of cases
where a developer locks a load of files, and then leaves. It could be
months before this is noticed, and all sorts of fun ensues getting the
clearcase admin to find & break the locks.

Kate

-- 
 When I say 'free', I mean 'free': free from bond, of chain or command: 
to go where you will, even to Mordor, Saruman, if you desire. " 
    -- Gandalf, paraphrasing the choice between Free and Non-free software