Iteration v7.2 (release plan)

[fpetru]

Note: This issue is create to make sure all the related systems are properly updates (docs, wiki, website, release notes, Twitter, Facebook etc.). The standard list of tasks associated with generating the release should be still maintained in wiki.

Preparation

• Review / update CHANGELOG.md

Day 0

A new development cycle starts with a subversion increment, or major version increment when we drop support for an old Debian version or old DietPi versions. The RC version during the development cycle is "-1", to clearly identify unstable version strings, e.g. v7.1.x => v7.2.-1.

First week

• Make the iteration planning - a little list of important items that shall be addressed within this release: Iteration plan 7.2 (May 2021) #4375
  • The GitHub milestone + an open issue added to the milestone: https://github.com/MichaIng/DietPi/milestone/102
• Share this on Twitter, Forum, GitHub, Petreon, etc. to inform about the plans and allow any user to give some feedback on it.

3rd week - Beta phase (testing)

2021.05.22

• Make sure the appropriate pull request is available for the documentation with all the necessary changes:
  • new software titles: Add Firefox to desktop utilities docs DietPi-Docs#487
  • new hardware: Add documentation for new SBCs supported in 7.2 DietPi-Docs#490
  • configuration changes: DietPi-Software | vaultwarden: Rename from Bitwarden_RS DietPi-Docs#478 Update emonPi/emonHub docs DietPi-Docs#483
  • other doc changes
• Launch the initial beta
  • Advertise open beta testing on:
    • GitHub: Open Beta v7.2 | Please help testing and hardening the upcoming release #4409
    • Forum: https://dietpi.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=9048
    • DietPi-Banner MOTD
    • Website slider: Add DietPi v7.2 Beta slide DietPi-Website#103
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/DietPi_/status/1396478661063290882
    • Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/167403007229675
    • Patreon
• Determine if one or more hotfix needs to be applied (so the minor version is incremented e.g. 7.2.1, 7.2.2) Beta v7.2.1 #4415 Beta v7.2.2 #4423

2 days before the release

2021.05.27

• Have a release PR open on the main repo which needs to be linked from the changelog/release notes. Release v7.2 #4422
• Have the docs release PR ready and reviewed, with release notes and required changes merged into dev already. Release week 21 (DietPi v7.2 release) DietPi-Docs#494
• Have a PR on the website ready to advertise the new release via website slide and have the docs PRs all ready and reviewed. Release week 21 (DietPi v7.2 release) DietPi-Website#111

Release

2021.05.29

• Make the release
• Publish the release notes (Docs)
• Mention the release notes in DietPi Forum
• Publish the main banner on the website, announcing new version
• Update the MOTD
• Update the dietpi.com update server

Release announcements

2021.05.30

• Determine if a hotfix is needed
• Publish on Twitter (tweet)
• Publish on Facebook (DietPi group)

Prep for the next release

• Select issues for the new iteration in the new milestone (v7.3)
• Create a new release plan
• Create a new section in wiki associated to v7.3

[fpetru]

@MichaIng - A draft release plan, with actions on which we could help - it's just the initial version and I'm sure it needs more updates.

[MichaIng]

Good idea to make this an actual issue with each release cycle. Shall we add deadlines/dates here as well (see my basecamp notes)?

[StephanStS]

Post in the Facebook DietPi group: