On 10/08/10 17:19, SteveC wrote:
OSM is mostly a consensus-based community, or a do-ocracy.
These two systems are not really compatible. With respect to mapping,
which is where most effort is expended (I guess), OSM is a do-ocracy.
For example, any tags may be used. Any mapping methodology may be used.
And area can be mapped to any level of detail. The main thrust of OSM is
anarchy with minimal central control (just to revert obvious vandals).
In terms of the database and servers, I would expect there is more
consensus decision making, but that is not very visible to regular
mappers. It just happens, apparently by magic (and thanks to the
sysadmins and devs for being the magicians). But to expect consensus
decisions on an issue as large as relicensing from regular contributors
is unprecedented.
With such a diverse and large community, I am not surprised the same
topics get repeated over and over. The mailing list discussion seems
very transient and generally off topic, making it hard to search. Also,
I don't expect any definite answers even if I read the entire back log.
Perhaps a karma system like slashdot uses would work? Repetition might
be addressed by resources other than the mailing list. I suggest
comprehensive FAQs that can be used as references, to reduce repetition
on the lists.
Katie has posted stats on how prolific authors are, but I don't see any
conclusion drawn. Is it a crime to post to the mailing list frequently?
What is your point?
So I agree that we could do with some guidelines. (I note wikipedia's
assume good faith policy.) I think the enforcement should be community
driven, not by an appointed committee. But given consensus decisions
have not been previous taken by contributors, I don't think anyone
should be surprised that relicensing is so divisive. I think the
consensus for licensing has not been properly quantified (and if I am
wrong, please get on with relicensing). And a consensus should not be
used to silence dissent. That would be tyranny of the majority.
TimSC
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