Mailinglist Archive: opensuse-project (67 mails)
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[opensuse-project] openSUSE Guiding Principles - 2nd draft
- From: Martin Lasarsch <mlasars@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2007 18:26:35 +0200
- Message-id: <200707041826.36168.mlasars@xxxxxxx>
Hi,
Here is the next version of the guiding principles, the 2nd draft. Cornelius
fixed some bugs and changed other stuff from your feedback.
I guess it makes sense to start a new thread, the old one is at
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-project/2007-05/msg00208.html
If this is new for you, i suggest to read also the old thread.
It's also available on the wiki: http://en.opensuse.org/Guiding_Principles
Let's discuss the new version ...
--
with kind regards,
Martin Lasarsch, Core Services
SUSE LINUX Products GmbH, Maxfeldstr. 5 90409 Nürnberg
GF: Markus Rex, HRB 16746 (AG Nürnberg)
martin.lasarsch@xxxxxxx - http://www.opensuse.org
This document describes the guiding principles which drive the openSUSE project.
On the one hand it addresses the openSUSE community and provides documentation
of the common understanding of how the project works. On the other hand it
addresses the outside world to provide the information about the base of the
project.
openSUSE Guiding Principles (short version)
===========================================
We are...
.. a community that provides free and easy access to Free
and Open Source Software. We innovate, integrate, polish, document,
distribute, maintain and support one of the world's best Linux distributions.
We are working together in an open, transparent and friendly manner
as part of the worldwide Free and Open Source community.
We want to...
- create the world's best Linux distribution
- make users happy
- foster innovation
- be open and work transparently
- work together with upstream projects
- collaborate with other communities
- have a lot of fun!
We value...
- free software
- an open development process
- openness
- choice
- standards
- quality
- transparency
- our users
- respect for others and their work
openSUSE Guiding Principles (long version)
==========================================
We are...
---------
.. a project for everybody striving for an open free software distribution
that enables all computer users to reach their indiviudal goals.
.. a huge and strong free software community. This not only includes
developers but also users, testers, writers, translators, usability experts,
artists, promoters and everybody else who wants to engage in the project.
.. a heterogenous project, which embraces a wide variety of technology, people
with different levels of expertise, speaking different languages and having
different cultural backgrounds.
.. focused on three main areas:
* Distribution Development
The openSUSE community develops a comprehensive and technically excellent
Linux distribution. It is building on the long development tradition
of SUSE Linux which has shaped the Linux history in the areas of usability,
stability, integration, and innovation.
* Communication Infrastructure
Working on free software is based on effective communication on different
levels. This is actively facilitated with platforms driven by the project such
as the Wiki, mailinglists, forums, IRC or Bugzilla.
* openSUSE Build Service
Free software is driven by diversity and engagement of individuals.
This is supported by the openSUSE Build Service. It enables software
maintainers to compile and integrate software for the openSUSE distribution
and other distributions and platforms. The Build Service dramatically
simplifies the process from the source package to installable binaries in the
system and makes it easy to distribute software to end users. It also allows
to directly contribute to the development of the distribution and to maintain
development branches.
We want to...
-------------
.. create the best Linux distribution in the world, which has the largest user
community, and provide the primary source for getting free software.
.. create a distribution which is stable, easy to use and a complete
multi-purpose distribution for users and developers, for desktop and server use,
for beginners and experienced users, for everybody.
.. foster innovation and new ideas by creating a regularly updated
distribution. It includes the latest developments and makes it easily possible
to create customizations based on the openSUSE distribution.
.. support and provide a technical infrastructure to make it easy to get the
distribution via several methods including, but not limited to, download, a
boxed product, magazine cover mounts and free promotional media.
.. follow an open, transparent and accessible development process which is
driven by us, the community. The process should make development easy.
.. collaborate with upstream projects and other distributions. We offer
innovations, patches and fixes for inclusion in upstream projects or directly
work with other projects on the common goal of a mature distribution.
.. live the SUSE motto at work and leisure: "Have a lot of fun ...".
We value...
-----------
.. the ideals of free software: the freedoms to use, share, modify and share
modified versions.
.. the open development process based on the freedoms of free software which
fosters peer review, responsible maintainership, individual responsibility
and self organization in a collaborative, distributed environment.
.. openness as in open collaboration, open communication, open development,
open distribution, open source code, and open mind.
.. choice. We accept and respect that there are different ways to work,
different preferences for applications, environments, tools or interfaces and
different goals of users and contributors. We value diversity and pluralism as a
way of addressing the needs of a broad variety of people.
.. standards facilitating interoperation and integration of diverse services
and applications. We value standards as a base for freedom of choice, a
stronghold against lock-in and monoculture, and a foundation for rich and
user-focused systems.
.. quality by striving for technically excellent solutions based on a solid and
transparent development process. We achieve that by focusing on providing
thorough solutions to problems, taking the needs of users seriously, and
maintaining stability through well-defined quality assurance processes.
.. transparency of the decision making processes, transparency of communication
and transparency of work and collaboration processes. That includes openly
answering questions, providing all relevant information, and actively keeping
all involved parties informed. We are convinced that a transparent culture whose
inner workings can be understood by everybody provides the most efficient and
rewarding environment to reach our goals.
.. our users, their desires and goals, their need for help when encountering
problems and their support for our common project. We listen to our users and
focus on their needs throughout all our activities. We consider our users to be
part of our community.
.. respect for other persons and their contributions, for other opinions and
beliefs. We listen to arguments and address problems in a constructive and open
way. We believe that a diverse community based on mutual respect is the base for
a creative and productive environment enabling the project to be truly
successful. We don't tolerate social discrimination and aim at creating an
environment where people feel accepted and safe from offense.
Governance
----------
The openSUSE project is guided by its goals and values as set out in the
previous sections. The project and its subprojects are governed through the
existing open source development processes and the corresponding decision making
processes.
To lead the overall project a board of maintainers is created. The board of
maintainers has the following tasks:
- Act as a central point of contact
- Help resolve conflicts
- Communicate community interests to Novell
- Facilitate communication with all areas of the community
- Facilitate decision making processes where needed
The board should provide guidance and support existing governance structures,
but shouldn't direct or control development, since community mechanisms exist to
accomplish the goals of the project. The board should document decisions and
policies.
The board of maintainers consists of five community members including
two people who are not employed by Novell. The board is headed by a chairperson
with veto power over any decision. The chairperson is appointed by Novell and
will typically be a Novell employee. Novell appoints the initial members of the
board with participation of the community. It should include the coordinators
of distribution, communication, and build service. It will receive bylaws to
define its processes.
Novell provides the openSUSE community with resources to maintain and release
the openSUSE distribution. Novell supports openSUSE through sponsoring of
infrastructure, human resources and funding. It continously maintains
infrastructure and software.
The openSUSE community and Novell define the content of the distribution based
on defined criteria and a transparent process led by the board of maintainers.
openSUSE is the base of Novell's enterprise Linux products.
Novell owns the registered openSUSE trademark and permits and encourages
the usage for the project under specified conditions (->link to exact terms).
Appendix: Putting the Guiding Principles into effect
----------------------------------------------------
The final version will be published on the openSUSE web site with the
opportunity for all community members to sign it in the Wiki in order to express
their support. The final version should also be signed by Novell's upper
management to affirm the support of the Guiding Principles through Novell.
Here is the next version of the guiding principles, the 2nd draft. Cornelius
fixed some bugs and changed other stuff from your feedback.
I guess it makes sense to start a new thread, the old one is at
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-project/2007-05/msg00208.html
If this is new for you, i suggest to read also the old thread.
It's also available on the wiki: http://en.opensuse.org/Guiding_Principles
Let's discuss the new version ...
--
with kind regards,
Martin Lasarsch, Core Services
SUSE LINUX Products GmbH, Maxfeldstr. 5 90409 Nürnberg
GF: Markus Rex, HRB 16746 (AG Nürnberg)
martin.lasarsch@xxxxxxx - http://www.opensuse.org
This document describes the guiding principles which drive the openSUSE project.
On the one hand it addresses the openSUSE community and provides documentation
of the common understanding of how the project works. On the other hand it
addresses the outside world to provide the information about the base of the
project.
openSUSE Guiding Principles (short version)
===========================================
We are...
.. a community that provides free and easy access to Free
and Open Source Software. We innovate, integrate, polish, document,
distribute, maintain and support one of the world's best Linux distributions.
We are working together in an open, transparent and friendly manner
as part of the worldwide Free and Open Source community.
We want to...
- create the world's best Linux distribution
- make users happy
- foster innovation
- be open and work transparently
- work together with upstream projects
- collaborate with other communities
- have a lot of fun!
We value...
- free software
- an open development process
- openness
- choice
- standards
- quality
- transparency
- our users
- respect for others and their work
openSUSE Guiding Principles (long version)
==========================================
We are...
---------
.. a project for everybody striving for an open free software distribution
that enables all computer users to reach their indiviudal goals.
.. a huge and strong free software community. This not only includes
developers but also users, testers, writers, translators, usability experts,
artists, promoters and everybody else who wants to engage in the project.
.. a heterogenous project, which embraces a wide variety of technology, people
with different levels of expertise, speaking different languages and having
different cultural backgrounds.
.. focused on three main areas:
* Distribution Development
The openSUSE community develops a comprehensive and technically excellent
Linux distribution. It is building on the long development tradition
of SUSE Linux which has shaped the Linux history in the areas of usability,
stability, integration, and innovation.
* Communication Infrastructure
Working on free software is based on effective communication on different
levels. This is actively facilitated with platforms driven by the project such
as the Wiki, mailinglists, forums, IRC or Bugzilla.
* openSUSE Build Service
Free software is driven by diversity and engagement of individuals.
This is supported by the openSUSE Build Service. It enables software
maintainers to compile and integrate software for the openSUSE distribution
and other distributions and platforms. The Build Service dramatically
simplifies the process from the source package to installable binaries in the
system and makes it easy to distribute software to end users. It also allows
to directly contribute to the development of the distribution and to maintain
development branches.
We want to...
-------------
.. create the best Linux distribution in the world, which has the largest user
community, and provide the primary source for getting free software.
.. create a distribution which is stable, easy to use and a complete
multi-purpose distribution for users and developers, for desktop and server use,
for beginners and experienced users, for everybody.
.. foster innovation and new ideas by creating a regularly updated
distribution. It includes the latest developments and makes it easily possible
to create customizations based on the openSUSE distribution.
.. support and provide a technical infrastructure to make it easy to get the
distribution via several methods including, but not limited to, download, a
boxed product, magazine cover mounts and free promotional media.
.. follow an open, transparent and accessible development process which is
driven by us, the community. The process should make development easy.
.. collaborate with upstream projects and other distributions. We offer
innovations, patches and fixes for inclusion in upstream projects or directly
work with other projects on the common goal of a mature distribution.
.. live the SUSE motto at work and leisure: "Have a lot of fun ...".
We value...
-----------
.. the ideals of free software: the freedoms to use, share, modify and share
modified versions.
.. the open development process based on the freedoms of free software which
fosters peer review, responsible maintainership, individual responsibility
and self organization in a collaborative, distributed environment.
.. openness as in open collaboration, open communication, open development,
open distribution, open source code, and open mind.
.. choice. We accept and respect that there are different ways to work,
different preferences for applications, environments, tools or interfaces and
different goals of users and contributors. We value diversity and pluralism as a
way of addressing the needs of a broad variety of people.
.. standards facilitating interoperation and integration of diverse services
and applications. We value standards as a base for freedom of choice, a
stronghold against lock-in and monoculture, and a foundation for rich and
user-focused systems.
.. quality by striving for technically excellent solutions based on a solid and
transparent development process. We achieve that by focusing on providing
thorough solutions to problems, taking the needs of users seriously, and
maintaining stability through well-defined quality assurance processes.
.. transparency of the decision making processes, transparency of communication
and transparency of work and collaboration processes. That includes openly
answering questions, providing all relevant information, and actively keeping
all involved parties informed. We are convinced that a transparent culture whose
inner workings can be understood by everybody provides the most efficient and
rewarding environment to reach our goals.
.. our users, their desires and goals, their need for help when encountering
problems and their support for our common project. We listen to our users and
focus on their needs throughout all our activities. We consider our users to be
part of our community.
.. respect for other persons and their contributions, for other opinions and
beliefs. We listen to arguments and address problems in a constructive and open
way. We believe that a diverse community based on mutual respect is the base for
a creative and productive environment enabling the project to be truly
successful. We don't tolerate social discrimination and aim at creating an
environment where people feel accepted and safe from offense.
Governance
----------
The openSUSE project is guided by its goals and values as set out in the
previous sections. The project and its subprojects are governed through the
existing open source development processes and the corresponding decision making
processes.
To lead the overall project a board of maintainers is created. The board of
maintainers has the following tasks:
- Act as a central point of contact
- Help resolve conflicts
- Communicate community interests to Novell
- Facilitate communication with all areas of the community
- Facilitate decision making processes where needed
The board should provide guidance and support existing governance structures,
but shouldn't direct or control development, since community mechanisms exist to
accomplish the goals of the project. The board should document decisions and
policies.
The board of maintainers consists of five community members including
two people who are not employed by Novell. The board is headed by a chairperson
with veto power over any decision. The chairperson is appointed by Novell and
will typically be a Novell employee. Novell appoints the initial members of the
board with participation of the community. It should include the coordinators
of distribution, communication, and build service. It will receive bylaws to
define its processes.
Novell provides the openSUSE community with resources to maintain and release
the openSUSE distribution. Novell supports openSUSE through sponsoring of
infrastructure, human resources and funding. It continously maintains
infrastructure and software.
The openSUSE community and Novell define the content of the distribution based
on defined criteria and a transparent process led by the board of maintainers.
openSUSE is the base of Novell's enterprise Linux products.
Novell owns the registered openSUSE trademark and permits and encourages
the usage for the project under specified conditions (->link to exact terms).
Appendix: Putting the Guiding Principles into effect
----------------------------------------------------
The final version will be published on the openSUSE web site with the
opportunity for all community members to sign it in the Wiki in order to express
their support. The final version should also be signed by Novell's upper
management to affirm the support of the Guiding Principles through Novell.
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