When to delete an app -- and when to move it to archive?
As we struggle every time when this question surfaces, it would be a good idea to find a consensus and then document it. A base of my question can be found in this comment, so I'll repeat it here. For action to be taken on an app:
- Is it enough that maintenance has ended – even if the app still works fine? I think not: in that case, a prominent notice (along the lines of "this app is no longer maintained") should suffice. Especially if there is no successor.
- Is it enough as above if a successor is available? I'd be fine with that if it's a direct successor (e.g. a fork with continued development). But how long to wait before burying the predecessor?
- Is it enough if maintenance has ended and the app stopped working? I'd definitely say "yes" to this one.
- Are there any other criteria to be considered?
On point 3 I'd even argue the value such an app has in archive: if the app cannot be used, of what use is it? IMHO this could be removed altogether (A). Also, "NoSourceSince" certainly counts as "maintenance ended" – as does e.g. a Github repo that has been archived. But what time frame of no-more-commits (and no action of the author seen in the project's issues) counts as such (B)?
Certainly in "real life" we need to decide anew each time. But some guidelines would be a great help. I especially numbered the items for easier reference, so be welcome to start paragraphs with "1)" or "A)", for example – which would also make it easier to follow a specific item in a longer line of comments.