Re: Who is Representing Apache?
Yes, exactly the issue I am worrying about! More companies need to be developing within Apache, and the new book should help out the situation a bit, but a new book isn't enough. We also need to be at the meetings, spreading the news about what it can do for them. They remember mostly that Apache delivers html and runs CGIs. On 11/7/06, Joachim Zobel [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Am Montag, den 06.11.2006, 09:25 -0800 schrieb Brian McQueen: 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! This is the unfortunate social process that happens when a software system reaches maturity. During this process the software gets harder to use and develop. You end up with a system that is close to perfection, but is used by a very small number of people. VMS could do things, unix is still trying to reach today (versioning file system, transparent clustering). Who uses TeX? The Oracle database is probably on the same road, and there are quite shure others that come to mind within a few minutes of thinking. Apache is special because it is very widely used, but only a few people know what it can actually do. Sincerely, Joachim
Re: Who is Representing Apache?
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 -- [EMAIL PROTECTED]http://www.temme.net/sander/ PGP FP: 51B4 8727 466A 0BC3 69F4 B7B8 B2BE BC40 1529 24AF smime.p7s Description: S/MIME cryptographic signature
Re: Who is Representing Apache?
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. I'm a bit confused because you are talking business cases around the open source model v.s. creating open source projects. Many of the industry leaders do these sorts of presentations regularly, two that come to mind offhand are Brian Behlendorf and my CEO, Mark Brewer, but I know that there are a ton of others who can and do speak on business models around open source. Sander pointed out, you need to inform the PRC early when you see a public relations opportunity that the Apache folks should avail themselves of. The volunteer nature of the group means that the more lead time, the more chance there's a speaker available. Bill
