First - I don't see any bad feedback on the Linux version, other than that people DON'T know Linux when they start. All the bad rap is on the Windows version - which is a DOG. They have almost nothing in common really, other than they came from the same SOURCE (already stable). The problems don't come from SOURCE, they come from BUILDS and configurations.
Second - you never read the beta page did you?
Beta's aren't discussed in the forums, you submit problems on a form. I know cause I 'beta'd' the last two Windows releases. You report the problem, they e-mail you if they can't replicate or have a question. I already gave you the reasons I haven't done the Linux Beta. I'm in the middle of a project on those machines. If you would like to ship me a laptop to test the beta on, I'll do it. I just don't have any spare boxes ATM.
As for how things work at Apache Friends, I didn't make it that way. I told you who the project leader is, so send him your thoughts please. I have no way to influence what happens here.
There IS a bug-tracker, although it doesn't appear to get much use:
http://bugs.xampp.org/my_view_page.phpBefore I posted this, I took the time to read your posts. You have been using LAMPP for a relatively LONG and you have been though a good number of beta/release cycles. I see that the project members, particularly Carsten Weidmann, went to great lengths to explain things as needed.
Have you noticed how many (including yours) Linux/LAMPP post are basically unanswered?
There are two possibilities:
A. - Not that many folks use LAMPP on Linux (what I think is the case)
B. - We are dealing with the Linux - figure it out yourself syndrome (also quite possible)
I personally suggest you "man up" and install it on a box if you are so curious. Then YOU can be the hero, maybe set up a page/blog to post what happened, the checklist you suggested (like I have done for many other projects). I also run a (private) ChangeBlog for each project I work on, its supereasy with WordPress. Note- I keep a site about XAMPP - see below.
I have now given you the realistic picture. If you don't like it XAMPP so much, and if you want a project with open Alphas, Betas, complete open bug-tracking and open discussions of the Release candidates, then I suggest you look to Ubuntu or Fedora, where everything is out in the open. I use 4 different distributions (because of the projects I work on for others), and its not tough any longer to build a complete stack on any of them. The fact is that apt-get, yum and the other install/make/build tools, plus reliable, almost-all-inclusive repositories have taken the mystery out of most elements of Linux setup.
Good Luck
nstfu