Hi Brian,Thank you for your thoughts. I am Cc-ing on this response the Apache Software Foundation Public Relations Team. They may choose to chime in if they think this necessary.
I cannot speak for the foundation, but as a contributor to the Apache HTTP Server project I am delighted to hear that the web server is so ubiquitous that it seems to be the default platform for startup companies. I hope that many of those present are subscribed to our announce@httpd.apache.org and users@httpd.apache.org mailinglists. If they would like to participate in the development effort, anyone is welcome to join the dev@httpd.apache.org mailinglist as well, but nobody is required to do so. The fact that no one in the room needed to change or patch the web server code could also be considered a measure of its success.
If we are offered a speaking slot at a conference, and we have someone available that has the time and opportunity to speak, we are happy to participate. However, as an all-volunteer organization this doesn't always work out, and I don't think we actively try to find speaking opportunities. We also don't usually participate in trade shows and the like, but rely on word-of-mouth and press coverage to get the word out on our software. Also, many companies incorporate Apache software in their own products.
I hope that this serves to address your concerns somewhat. Regards, Sander On Nov 6, 2006, at 9:25 AM, Brian McQueen wrote:
I was at a conference for startups last week, and it would have been very useful to have someone there representing Apache. It is going to drop from the minds of its target audience if its utility is not made obvious again and again, obvious and up-to-date. There was a lot of talk about open source projects and how to use open source code and nobody but me mentioned Apache. It should be the textbook example of how to run a successful open source project, and it should be an example of great engineering and there should be cases made for how and why to use it, and the startups should hear about it. It was a missed opportunity. I raised the question about how many folks depend on it, and the room was full of hands, but NONE of them are developing within it, none are involved with it. Its just their web server. This awesome Apache thing you guys created is beginning to slide into obscurity, when its actually better now than ever and should be moving more steadily into the forefront. Its no mere web server! So who is responsible for this type of activity? Brian McQueen
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