… is the question of a current thread being discussed on pear-dev. Discussion mainly circles around “forking” PEAR to make a PEAR2 which might break BC to previous packages, run on PHP5 only, etc. Some quotes:

Stopping in the middle to start new isn’t the best way I think. (Daniel Khan)

Having PEAR 2 is basically the same like the Ferrari F1 Team changing the motor, because the mechanicians aren’t working properly. (Martin Jansen)

The main problem i saw in PEAR since the begining wasnt technical, was as someone said, managerial. I can name a lot of good technical companies/technologies that disappear even being the best option in the
market. Betmax is classical, Netscape is the new one. PEAR? Will not make a big wave if it disapPEAR, looking at the current state of affairs. (S. Rocha)

What actually prevents us from creating a new pear to even better handle upgrade to PHP5 and repair some definite technical issues, etc.? (Tobias Schlitt)

“You heard that? PEAR was so broken they had to start it all over! I am not touching the thing with a 10 feet pole!” (Alexey Borzov)

Personally, I would love to see a new start with packages that consequently use PHP5’s OO features. Who really cares about the PHP4 OO features once he knows what PHP5 can do? Hence, who really cares about the old PEAR if there’s a PEAR for PHP 5? As PHP4 OO is not the best choice for mission critical projects, anyone seriously doing OO with PHP in the future, will use PHP5 and related packages from the new PEAR.

via pear-dev