[Pkg-samba-maint] Bug#496196: libpam-smbpass: package description overhaul

[Justin B Rye]

Package: libpam-smbpass
Version: 2:3.2.1-1
Severity: minor

This is part of a set of related bugreports on the packages in the
Samba suite; I've already reported many of these issues (with some
suggested fixes) as a single bugreport on samba4 (see #486370), but
since that approach is a dud I'm trying the alternative of splitting
them up and targetting individual packages.

Current package description:
# Description: pluggable authentication module for SMB/CIFS password database
#  This is a stackable PAM module that allows a system administrator to easily
#  migrate to using encrypted passwords for Samba and to keep smb passwords in
#  sync with unix passwords.  Unlike other solutions, it does this without
#  requiring users to change their existing passwords or login to Samba using
#  cleartext passwords.

Problems shared with other packages in the set:
* this synopsis obeys DevRef's recommendation of dropping an initial
	article, but then overzealously extends the rule to "[the]
	SMB/CIFS password database".
* Samba is all about OS interoperability, so keep the OS names
	straight.  These "unix passwords" aren't just for UNIX,
	they're also used on GNU/Linux!  In fact, why not stick to
	talking about "/etc/passwd"?
* "PAM module" is a mild but easily avoidable PIN-numberism (and
	"stackable" is redundant).
* and a wishlist item: WIBNI all the packages in the suite had
	consistently styled short descriptions.  Likewise, in this
	case, consistent what-Samba-is boilerplate.

Problems unique to this package:
* six repetitions of the word "password(s)"!
* "smb passwords" - make that "SMB", or avoid the jargon entirely.
* the noun is one word, "a login", but the verb is "to log
	(oneself) in (to...)".
* "requiring" users to change passwords directly inconveniences
	them; "requiring" users to use cleartext logins does not, so
	don't phrase it as if they were parallel cases.

And something I don't know Samba well enough to be sure about: are
the "other solutions" it mentions still relevant in the 21st century
or does this need a complete rewrite?

Suggested replacement text:
| Description: Samba pluggable authentication module
|  The Samba software suite implements the SMB/CIFS protocol, providing
|  cross-platform support for Windows-style network shares.
|  .
|  This package provides a module for PAM that lets Samba migrate to using
|  encrypted passwords, and keep them in sync with /etc/passwd. Unlike other
|  solutions, it does this without needing Samba logins to be sent in
|  cleartext, or forcing users to change their existing passwords.

-- 
JBR - please CC me (or the debian-l10n-english list) in replies