On 5/31/07, Keith M Wesolowski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
On Thu, May 31, 2007 at 09:22:20PM -0400, Ian Murdock wrote:
> So, it seems the crux of the matter is the following decision:
>
> 1. OpenSolaris should remain a source base only. Sun
> and others use that source base to build (potentially incompatible)
> operating systems based on the OpenSolaris code base.
>
> 2. OpenSolaris should be an operating system in its own right.
> Multiple implementations (distros) can still exist, but they must
> remain compatible with each other to use the name OpenSolaris.
>
> Some people here think #1. Other people here think #2. So, it appears
> we're at a decision point. How exactly does the "community decide"? Just
> wondering, because that isn't entirely clear to me. And if there's no clear
> answer to that, then something's very wrong, because in the absence
> of clear decision making processes, we're just going to argue
> endlessly. If you want more details on why this thread
> worries me, see http://www.linuxformat.co.uk/murdockint.html).
Since we're currently at (1), the question is really "If someone
wanted to change the policy to (2), how would that decision be made?"
Because although it shouldn't be so, this decision must be considered
differently depending on the direction in which the policy is being
shifted.
There are two components to what you suggest (I'll write here as if
you're the champion of option (2), since that seems to be the case).
First, having the OpenSolaris community as a whole endorse a
particular distribution as that reference, or canonical distribution.
Pick a different term if you prefer, but that's what it sounds like
you're proposing. That decision would be made in the form of a policy
by the OGB. In effect, that policy would state that distribution XXX
managed by the YYY Community Group is the reference OpenSolaris
distribution. The process for making decisions like that is loosely
spelled out in the Constitution - in effect, the OGB is expected to
listen to its constituency and employ a combination of free-form
discussion here and parliamentary procedure in formal meetings to
reach policy decisions.
Second, and more difficult to cope with, is the restriction on the use
of the OpenSolaris name. As you know, Sun owns and controls that
name. So whatever the OGB or anyone else might prefer as a policy,
Sun and no one else can dictate how the name can be used. I believe
at present it's a fairly permissive regime. A change could be
requested by you, by the OGB (the formal liaison with Sun), or by
someone acting solely on behalf of Sun. The actual decision to
implement this change cannot be made openly or by us; a decision to
request it could be made, and would follow a process similar to that I
described above.
That's a very long answer to a very simple question. To summarize,
"the community decides" means majority vote of the OGB membership?
> P.S. - The decision really isn't as stark as that just yet. All we're
> asking for is a project where we can *explore* #2..
It seems to me (speaking personally now) that you'd be best positioned
to start exploring a reference distribution by first exploring the
mechanics of making a distribution. That is, by writing some code,
and taking your ideas, your prototype, and the problems you've
encountered along the way to one or more of the Community Groups for
help and advice, and by actually diving in and starting to understand
what OpenSolaris is and how it works at a technical level. Obviously,
I'm familiar with your background and respect what you've
accomplished. But I do think it's fair to say that this is a rather
different environment, one with its own technical challenges.
If the Project Instantiation process were working here (instead of
being worked around), it would have put you in touch with Groups whose
members have worked on some of these problems in the past and are
familiar with the technologies involved. One of them would agree to
sponsor your project and send a simple statement of what you hope to
accomplish to us to be announced. You'd then go off and write some
code to start implementing your vision, knowing who to talk with when
you get stuck. As you start to have something to demonstrate,
something to discuss, interest in your work will grow, along with your
project team. As that happens, you can begin to drive consensus
around how things ought to work. That's around the time I'd think it
reasonable to start contemplating the whole question of whether your
thing should be a reference distribution or not.
So, we should go do the initial work inside Sun before proceeding?
-ian
--
Ian Murdock
650-331-9324
http://ianmurdock.com/
"Don't look back--something might be gaining on you." --Satchel Paige
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