Hello, On Wed, 25 Jan 2012, Pascal Bleser wrote:
On Wed, 2012-01-25 at 16:43 -0500, Robert Schweikert wrote: [..] But if there aren't 1, 2, 3 people who stand up for it and own
On 2012-01-25 16:11:48 (-0600), Bryen M Yunashko <suserocks@bryen.com> wrote: the task, an automated email is still better than nothing at all.
Well, on thing to do could be to ask around those who "approved" the membership. Basically: members know members. There should always be some that know what might be up and/or how one can be reached. In my case, it'd be (at least) some @suse.de people that I keep in touch with and who I suspect the "validated" my request for membership. [..]
I propose the following guideline: " On even years of membership anniversary (that would be year 2, 4, 6...) a member gets an automated e-mail. - If the e-mail bounces and there is no other means to contact the person than the person is removed as a member. - If the person does not respond within two weeks, another e-mail is sent. If after 2 additional weeks no response is received the person is removed as a member.
Out of personal experience: that is much too little time. I've been on 3 month holidays. I was sick + recuperating + moving and generally offline for over 6 weeks a few years back -- after 8 years or so of continuous support on the -de ML. I think we should have something like - a 3 month warning and grace period or whatchamacallit (2 mails?) - another 2 - 4 weeks "last chance" period (another 2 mails?) That should cover most cases where someone is willing but unable. Also, there should be the possibility to suspend / go on a sabbatical for a given time, if for whatever reason one does not want or cannot "be active" for some time. Remember: there's a real world out there in the big blue room with the open burning fusion... One might want to visit that, extensively even ;) Oh, and if mail bounces one should ask around on the MLs/Fora/IRC-# etc. where the member last was active. Remember: members know a lot of other members and users usually! Actually, it's a requirement: to become a member, you have to contribute and if you contribute, you get to know and get known to people.
The way its done at GNOME is to reach out to those who have expiring memberships about 2-3 months in advance. I think 2 week turnaround time is just too conservative given the nature of open source participation. There are valid reasons why someone may not be checking their email for a month or so.
Agreed, a month would be more appropriate. Also, most of them have been inactive for over a year, and 2 weeks won't change anything ;)
What is "inactive"? [..]
I would like to propose that we allow a *waiver* period. Meaning, you are allowed one period of inactivity, as long as you say you still wish to be a member. E.g., you've been active, but you were not active in the last membership period. That's okay. But if the second membership expiration period comes up and you're still seen as inactive, then you get the disqualification.
that + the "sabbatical" ;)
Again, reason for this is because of external extenuating circumstances. I've seen a lot of people who were highly active then go quiet for a period of time (due to family illnesses or stopping to focus on their Uni studies, or etc.) This scenario is just simply not that uncommon and why penalize someone who contributed for 5+ years who needed to take a temporary break from giving his free time to the community? I just feel that if you've contributed significantly in the past, you deserve to have one waiver period. Out of fairness. And it shows we still care and want them to come back when it is possible for them.
Sounds quite complicated.
See above. I think it is absolutely neccessary. Poking the community if anyone knows what's up with e.g. you or me should yield some results. One could put that member as "gone sabbatical" for about as long as she/he's contributed before (there'll be only few with 10+ years, esp. if you don't count suse/novell/opensuse employees ;)
As an alternative: - keep a list of former members somewhere, because we still value the contributions they made in the past - when they contribute again, they can simply re-apply for membership
Aye. And see above. -dnh -- "Powered-up hardware and sweat do not mix." -- Simon Cozens -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-project+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, email: opensuse-project+owner@opensuse.org