and verifying that it is solid takes how long? (same argument for git btw, the conversion is done, but we are still busy verifying its correctness.)
Well, I have a 2 year head start with verifying the SVN repository. But I think that people need to start using the repos for it to be properly verified, and that just won't happen until it's the main repos.
good point, however it would be nice not to break xenofarm for the stable version, especially at a time when we are trying to stabilize and get a release out the door. once the release is made, the situation is a lot less critical
A compromise would be to keep the old repository active for the stable versions during a transition period, and make sure all changes are ported over between the repositories (maybe this can even be automated?).
was the pain caused by lack of anticipating effects of making changes directly to the repo?
could the pain be avoided by making sure that the copies at split time remain identical, and only changes made are through regular commits?
The major pains were caused by "cleanups" done in the repositories after the copy operations, yes. An identical copy with only new commits _should_ be only a minor pain, but I'm prepared to expect the unexpected....