On Sun, Feb 09, 2014 at 04:44:22AM -0800, Henrique C. S. Junior wrote:
> I'd like to know what people think about (possible) future scenarios for Scientific Linux. Let's say:
>  - If SL becomes a CentOS SIG (builded using the CentOS Core) does it still worth the time or will you change to CentOS?
>  - If nothing changes and SL continue to be build from SRPMs (with a huge delay compared to CentOS)
>  - If SL dies to be replaced by CentOS at CERN and Fermi Lab
> Feel free to add new scenarios.


Perhaps you do not know "where the legs grow from" of SL/SLC (CERN).

(omitting a few minor details) (hah, minor details, yes!)

SL/SLC is a joint project of CERN, FermiLab and other major Govt labs
to provide high-energy physics experiments that have large data analysis
requirements with a Linux distribution suitable for running on large computing
farms (think CERN, LHC machine, ATLAS experiment).

For historical reasons (hah!) this distribution is based on Red Hat Linux (from
before the "E"). Given the massive installed base at CERN, BNL, FermiLab and
elsewhere (even at TRIUMF), and given the general inertia of big projects,
do not expect a switch to Debian.

So even if SL tanks or FermiLab tanks, SLC (CERN) will continue. Even if Red Hat tanks,
SLC will probably continue. If you have any doubts, consider the size of
the CERN LHC machine, (in km, in $$$, in person-count, in TB of data produced)
and understand that CERN have a computing departement of matching size.

Given that CERN-affiliated projects buy massive amounts of computer equipment
from IBM, Dell, HP, & co, vendor support for CERN Linux will continue, too.


-- 
Konstantin Olchanski
Data Acquisition Systems: The Bytes Must Flow!
Email: olchansk-at-triumf-dot-ca
Snail mail: 4004 Wesbrook Mall, TRIUMF, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 2A3, Canada