Simon Phipps wrote:
On Feb 3, 2007, at 07:49, Ben Rockwood wrote:
This is neither the first nor the last time this discussion will
occur and frankly I don't see it as productive.
You would rather Sun had not asked? Has there previously been a
conclusive discussion about GPLv3 (I am aware of the discussions about
GPLv2). Do you have evidence that the 18,000 registered on
OpenSolaris.org (or at least the Core Contributors) would reject the
GPLv3 (or embrace it)? Do you have an alternative method to consult?
Would you rather the decision was made secretly? Are governance
discussions "unproductive" by definition because they are not about
code?[1]
I was not passing judgement on those who've participated in this
discussion, simply answered the "Why there 800 people on this list and
only 15 posting" question from my perspective. Others may agree, others
might not.
As for whether or not governance discussions are productive or not...
they are so long as they lead to completion of governance. Once
governance is complete and a new OGB is in place we begin work on things
that are more interesting, namely refining and honing the development
processes. That work can't be completed until the framework of the
project is hardened.
And may I point out, that while ~15 people are making most of the
comments on this thread, less than that are involved in governance.
What proposal would you make for getting people here to take their
governance responsibilities seriously? It seems people are happy to
hack, but when it comes to running the place (that governance, this
GPLV3 decision) they would rather leave it to others.
Whether or not people care about governance is a personal opinion,
people may feel as they wish. I think more people would care if they
understood the purpose and direction of the project and how governance
fits into that. This goes back to the old discussions on whether the
OGB has enforcable power or not, whether or not Sun Executives can
over-ride the OGB or not, etc.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I've not yet seen anyone approach the OGB for an
opinion on these GPLv3 issues. That says something to me.
Many of these fears of which you speak are, I think, out of a sense that
no one is running the show... and that means that Sun Microsystems Inc
(the faceless entity) is in control, not the OGB or engineers or people
with faces regardless of who they work for.
I personally don't worry so much because I happen to know who makes the
decisions. I know that its real people, not some faceless entity. I'm
sure lots of people don't have that luxury and are concerned.
Just a possibility.
benr.
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