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Date: Wed, 12 Aug 2015 11:39:12 -0600
From: Kai-Martin Knaak <kmk AT familieknaak DOT de>
To: geda-user AT delorie DOT com
Subject: Re: [geda-user] multiple gEDA users sharing networked libraries
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On Wed, 12 Aug 2015 14:52:10 +0100
"Matt Rhys-Roberts (matt DOT rhys-roberts AT envinsci DOT co DOT uk) [via
geda-user AT delorie DOT com]" <geda-user AT delorie DOT com> wrote:

> We're considering keeping symbol & footprint libraries on a networked 
> server, so that several designers can refer and contribute to common 
> components and workfiles.
> 
> Is anyone else already doing this? How's it going? Any pro's and
> con's to this approach?

We use a combination of OpenAFS and git. Users configure their desktop
instances of geda to our local symbol and footprint library on our AFS
server. For laptops or home office work, they use git to clone the libs
to the local disk. Git is also a way to contribute to the library. But
most users prefer to send me files. I then do final touches and add
them to the lib.

Nobody feels the need to do branches. So there is no need to deal
with anything more advanced than a linear string of current head
versions.

In addition, I keep my section of gedasymbols.org in sync with our
library. In principle, users might use CVS rather than git to obtain a
local copy. But I don't think anybody does. 

Advantage of AFS: 
* Users don't have to do anything to get the most recent version of
  symbols and footprints
* The contents of our AFS server are backuped weekly, monthly, yearly by
  the data center.
* AFS contents can be accessed from anywhere on the internet (provided
  you can authenticate yourself to our servers)

Drawbacks of AFS
* Some manual configuration is needed to set up OpenAFS on a desktop.
* New users have to be taught about the existence and peculiarities of
  AFS
* Permissions are more feature complete than in ordinary unix file
  systems → admins have to get used to a different set of tools.
Since we use AFS as the backbone of our networked services, these
issues have to be dealt with anyway. 

Advantages of git:
* Those who work with laptops can easily their local copy up to date.
* There is abundant supply of manuals, howtos and GUIs. This applies to
  MS windows and OSX, too.
* If a commit manages to screw the lib, everybody can go back and use
  older versions. This includes the folks who use a local copy of the
  libs.
 
---<)kaimartin(>---