Re: Ask your openSUSE Board candidates questions

Gerald Pfeifer wrote:
> On Mon 2022-11-07, ddemaio wrote:
> > Please ask your questions (Ask us Anything) in this thread so we can 
> > keep the conversations focused and centralized for all the candidates 
> > and members who want to ask questions of the candidates.
> > All the candidates are in cc and you can find their profiles at the 
> > board election wiki. https://en.opensuse.org/openSUSE:Board_election
> > This is a great idea (and I meant to ask questions two weeks ago, 
> but ... personal circumstances).
> This may be my most difficult choice in an election as an openSUSE 
> member so far. (A great problem to have, of course.)
> Here are some aspect I am curious to learn more about:
> 1. Why are you running for the openSUSE board? (Some of you have 
> covered this already.)

I’m running for the board because I care about the project and the people, who ultimately are The Project. All projects naturally have tensions, but the people and their differing views are what make a project progress.

> 2. Clearly you care a lot about openSUSE and have contributed to the 
> project. What do you think will you be able to add as a member of the 
> board?

I think I will add a comprehensive view to the board on areas we have not explored as a project. 

> And what would be the opportunity cost, i.e., what might you not be 
> able to do, or do less of, for openSUSE in that case?

Given my platform is about reform, opposing points of view are necessary to make reforms, but there will be a need for other board members willing to not just oppose, but to work with me to allow for the reform. Any unwillingness to help could be a limitation.

> 3. What would you like the board to do differently / more / less of?
> 4. What are your thoughts on an openSUSE Foundation or similar structure?

Absolute reform, I would like to see the project rewrite it’s charter, make use of blockchain technologies and embrace newer ways of doing things, so that we can replenish the project with a succeeding/next generation of members. 

> If positive, how would you address that practically and what, if any, role 
> do you see for yourself in the way there?

I think I already answered this above. 

> 5. What are you biggest worries around / for openSUSE? (And how might we 
> tackle those?)

I would constantly push back against any idea that we should not start incorporate blockchain technologies in future membership processes. I’m afraid that the senior members and newer members are at a crossroads and that a lack of reforms to the project will cause it’s erosion. A vote for me is a vote for reforming the project. My hope is the experienced generation will soon advocate for change because our time is limited, and I’d like for the project to do well after me.


> Bonus question:
> 6. What makes you happy about openSUSE? What do you appreciate, enjoy?

openSUSE Beer & Beer!


> Thank you,
> Gerald