Hello All, I'm going to try to address as many of the concerns raised as I can in one email.
I'm not suggesting that anyone go work for IBM. In fact, I'm suggesting just the opposite; I'm suggesting that we all work together to get IBM working for us. Here's the deal. IBM is the main proponent of the proposed Apache OpenOffice project. They are doing this in their own self-interest. They want to get Apache Licensed contributions that they can use in their proprietary products. However, the OpenOffice code has been donated to the Apache Software Foundation, not to IBM. While IBM may want to exclusively run the project over at the ASF, if we want to get involved, the ASF is not going to allow IBM to dominate. We will have a say in how the Apache OpenOffice project evolves. I don't know what vision IBM has for the project. I don't know what code contribution they are going to make--I'm certain they will make some, but I don't know what they will be. I don't know what contributions members of the LibreOffice community will or will not want to make. I do know this however. There is currently an open invitation for us to get involved. If we get involved, we can have a say in with direction of the project. We can ensure that direction of the project provides the maximum benefit for LibreOffice, which includes any contributions from IBM. Basically, we can get IBM working for us. If we wait however, we risk being locked out. The open invitation is get involved is only valid for during the incubation proposal stage. After that, we will need "prove our merit" and approval to become a member. So if you sign up now, it is no risk and no obligation. IBM will be contributing as little or as much to the project as they want. They will be contributing some, and holding back some to use only in their proprietary products. The TDF community can do exactly the same thing--it can contribute some, while holding back some for LibreOffice only. This again can and will be worked out as the project evolves. So what I would like to see is an many LibreOffice people at the table as possible. If possible, I would like to see LibreOffice people dominating the Apache OpenOffice community to get as much out of the project as we can. But the time to jump in is now. We can't wait. Allen _______________________________________________ LibreOffice mailing list LibreOffice@lists.freedesktop.org http://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/libreoffice
