See the thread titled "OpenOffice.org Apache Incubator Proposal" post on June 1 by Luke Kowalski of Oracle:
http://mail-archives.apache.org/mod_mbox/incubator-general/201106.mbox/threa d --------------------------------------- Abstract OpenOffice.org is comprised of (6) personal productivity applications: word processor, spreadsheet, presentation graphics, drawing, equation editor, and database. OpenOffice.org supports Windows, Solaris, Linux and Macintosh operation systems. OpenOffice.org is localized, supporting over 110 languages worldwide. Proposal OpenOffice.org will be contributed to Apache Software Foundation by Oracle Corporation in compliance with ASF licensing and governance. This contribution will form the basis of the new OpenOffice project at Apache. Background OpenOffice.org was launched as an open source project by Sun Microsystems in June 2000. OpenOffice.org was originally developed by Star Division which was acquired by Sun in 1999. OpenOffice.org is the leading alternative to MS-Office available as an open source licensed offering. The source is written in C++ and delivers language-neutral and scriptable functionality. This source technology introduces the next-stage architecture, allowing use of the suite elements as separate applications or as embedded components in other applications. Numerous other features are also present including XML-based file formats based on the vendor-neutral OpenDocument Format (ODF) standard from OASIS and other resources. Rationale OpenOffice.org core development would continue at Apache following the contribution by Oracle, in accordance with Apache bylaws and its usual open development processes. Both Oracle and ASF agree that the OpenOffice.org development community, previously fragmented, would re-unite under ASF to ensure a stable and long term future for OpenOffice.org. ASF would enable corporate, non-profit, and volunteer stakeholders to contribute code in a collaborative fashion. Supporting tooling projects will accompany the OpenOffice.org contribution, providing APIs for extending and customizing OpenOffice.org. Both OpenOffice.org and the related tooling projects support the OASIS Open Document Format, and will attract an ecosystem of developers, ISVs and Systems Integrators. ODF ensures the users of OpenOffice.org and related solutions will own their document data, and be free to choose the application or solution that best meets their requirements. The OpenOffice.org implementation will serve as a reference implementation of the Open Document Format standard. Current Status This is a new project. Meritocracy The initial developers are very familiar with open source development, both at Apache and elsewhere. Apache was chosen specifically because Oracle as contributor, and IBM as Sponsor and the initial developers want to encourage this style of development for the project. A diverse developer community is regarded as necessary for a healthy, stable, long term OpenOffice.org project. Community OpenOffice.org. seeks to further encourage developer and user communities during incubation, beyond the existing developers currently working on the project. Core Developers The initial set of committers include people from the community of OpenOffice.org Technology projects. We have varying degrees of experience with Apache-style open source development, ranging from none to ASF Members. Alignment The developers of OpenOffice.org will want to work with the Apache Software Foundation specifically because Apache has proven to provide a strong foundation and set of practices for developing standards-based infrastructure and related components. Additionally, the project may evolve to support cloud and mobile platforms from its starting point of desktop operating systems. Known Risks Orphaned products OpenOffice.org is a mature project, with a set of APIs. It is continuing to evolve. Inexperience with Open Source The initial developers include long-time open source developers, including Apache Members. Homogenous Developers OpenOffice.org for many years was managed by Sun, who provided the majority of its engineering resources as well as its direction. Moving this project to Apache will enable a new start and provide a broad framework. Reliance on Salaried Developers The initial group of developers will be employed by IBM, Linux distribution companies, and likely public sector agencies. Localization resources are expected to gravitate to the new project, as well. Ensuring the long term stability of OpenOffice.org is a major reason for establishing the project at Apache. Relationships with Other Apache Products POI potentially, if POI extends to support ODF, the default file format of OpenOffice.org. A Excessive Fascination with the Apache Brand We believe in the processes, systems, and framework Apache has put in place. Documentation Currently available on openoffice.org and archived. Migration TBD. Initial Source The initial source will consist of a collection of OpenOffice.org files. External Dependencies None at this time Required Resources Developer and user mailing lists A subversion repository A JIRA issue tracker Download site Oracle will assist in the transition and migration from OpenOffice.org. All of the content has already been archived and is ready for the ASF infrastructure group to act on. Initial Committers Andrew Rist ---Oracle Rob Weir --- IBM Sponsors Sam Ruby, Geir Magnusson, Sally Khudairi Champion Sam Ruby, Apache Foundation Nominated Mentors Jim Jagielski --Apache Sponsoring Entity The Apache Incubator -- ----------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe send email to dev-unsubscr...@marketing.openoffice.org For additional commands send email to sy...@marketing.openoffice.org with Subject: help
