Dave, Tim, I'm happy to be outvoted on this issue, mainly because I have seen lots of examples of successful projects based on individual meritocracy, but I can't think of a good example for an alternative model which recognizes companies in the decision making process.
Tim Schaub wrote: > Hey- > > I strongly agree with the principles Dave discusses below. > > Tim > > Dave McIlhagga wrote: > >> Cameron, >> >> One of the founding principles of OSGeo was the concept of individual >> meritocracy -- not corporate merit. This was done intentionally, >> following the Apache model to ensure that the best people were >> represented in the organization and their projects, irrespective of >> their corporate affiliation. This is also why Sponsorship is kept very >> much at an arm's length from having any direct influence benefits into >> the organization. >> >> One very real issue with corporate representation -- what if an >> individual developer on the PSC leaves the organization? Is his >> position on the PSC therefore lost? This is the separation between >> individual contribution and influence vs. direct corporate influence >> that I believe is critical for the integrity of these projects. >> >> I think this is a critical principle to uphold in order to preserve >> the "arm's length" objective of OSGeo and it's projects from the >> institutional contributors (be it financial or in-kind) >> >> >> One goal of a particular PSC may be (and probably should be) to find >> balance in terms of individuals who represent various sources of >> contributions -- but I think this can be handled by recognizing the >> appropriate individuals rather than having a direct seat at the table >> for any one particular organization. >> >> My 2 cents. >> >> Dave >> >> Dave McIlhagga >> www.dmsolutions.ca >> >> >> On 20-Nov-08, at 5:15 PM, Cameron Shorter wrote: >> >> >>> Following on from a PSC discussion, ... >>> >>> I think it is right to discuss company/individual composition of the >>> PSC. >>> >>> As projects like Openlayers grow, there is are changing dynamics >>> regarding how decisions are made, because developer composition moves >>> from volunteers (who are answerable to themselves) to paid employees >>> (who are answerable to their employers). >>> >>> Initially it makes sense that PSC membership is made up of >>> individuals. >>> However, as developer mix increases to include more paid employees, I >>> think we need to consider company representation on the PSC. I don't >>> think others would disagree that the PSC is stronger when it has >>> representation from a diverse group of developers and organisations. >>> >>> So I think that when we propose someone for PSC membership we should >>> consider where they work, and the proportional representation of >>> companies on the PSC. In other PSCs, I have noticed developers from >>> the >>> same company have a tendency to vote the same way. This is natural and >>> understandable. The developers are usually working on the same project >>> and have the same driving priorities and needs. >>> >>> I'd also like to bring out into open discussion the question of who we >>> have on the committee, what are the expectations of them. Whether we >>> only want technical people on the committee or whether non-coders >>> should >>> be included too. I'd like to question the value of my involvement. I >>> haven't written Openlayers code for a year or two now, but do manage >>> developers who use Openlayers and occasionally contribute patches. I'm >>> comfortable with my role, providing rants like these to the email >>> list, >>> but won't be offended if people suggest it would be time for me to >>> retire. >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Cameron Shorter >>> Geospatial Systems Architect >>> Tel: +61 (0)2 8570 5050 >>> Mob: +61 (0)419 142 254 >>> >>> Think Globally, Fix Locally >>> Geospatial Solutions enhanced with Open Standards and Open Source >>> http://www.lisasoft.com >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Dev mailing list >>> Dev@openlayers.org >>> http://openlayers.org/mailman/listinfo/dev >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> Dev mailing list >> Dev@openlayers.org >> http://openlayers.org/mailman/listinfo/dev >> > > > -- Cameron Shorter Geospatial Systems Architect Tel: +61 (0)2 8570 5050 Mob: +61 (0)419 142 254 Think Globally, Fix Locally Geospatial Solutions enhanced with Open Standards and Open Source http://www.lisasoft.com _______________________________________________ Dev mailing list Dev@openlayers.org http://openlayers.org/mailman/listinfo/dev
