Gentoo Archives: gentoo-nfp

From: Dan Moulding <dmoulding@×××××.com>
To: gentoo-nfp@l.g.o
Subject: [gentoo-nfp] One Outsider's View
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 20:32:30
Message-Id: 7e08cc0801211232r59af59d1t23ecbcd2fa953d9@mail.gmail.com
1 First, I'd like to make it clear that no disrespect is intended by any
2 of the following. I'm known to be someone who sometimes lacks the
3 appropriate level of tact. If I offend anyone, it's not intentional.
4 That being said, I'd like to posit some notions -- axioms if you will
5 -- about the current state of affairs, as understood by a mostly
6 neutral outside observer, regarding the status of the Gentoo
7 Foundation:
8
9 * Deciding what form the foundation will take in the future is an
10 important decision that will have lasting effects.
11 * The foundation needs new leadership (evidenced by Grant's statement
12 that the fact he is in charge is "probably not a good thing").
13 * There are people outside of the current leadership who seem to be
14 more on top of things, as far as the foundation is concerned, than are
15 the current leadership (evidenced by Grant's learning of the charter
16 revocation from Daniel's blog).
17
18 Given these facts, a logical inference is that it is probably not best
19 for the current leadership to decide what form the foundation should
20 take in the future. This is because this decision, whether it will be
21 to put the reins in the hands of the SFC or SPI or whatever, is a
22 decision that has the potential to have a very serious and lasting
23 impact on the community as a whole. The current leadership, by their
24 own admission, seem to lack the track-record that would indicate their
25 qualification to make such an important decision on behalf of the rest
26 of the community.
27
28 To an independent observer, it seems the only solution is to first
29 allow the foundation's members to elect a new board of trustees.
30 Although any newly-elected board might also not have a proven
31 track-record, such a move would at least lend credence to the notion
32 that the ultimate decision reflects the will of the community. Any
33 actions taken prior to such an election, that would alter the course
34 or composition of the foundation in a major way, would seem to be
35 premature.
36
37 Who am I? I am not a member of the Gentoo Foundation. I'm simply a
38 random user who used Gentoo for some time a couple of years ago and
39 has recently returned. I can only say from my perspective that, as of
40 right now, the Gentoo Project seems to have declined quite noticeably
41 in overall quality (including documentation, website, community
42 support, etc) since the last time I used it circa 2005.
43
44 That is all.
45
46 -- Dan
47 --
48 gentoo-nfp@l.g.o mailing list

Replies

Subject Author
Re: [gentoo-nfp] One Outsider's View Mike Frysinger <vapier@g.o>
Re: [gentoo-nfp] One Outsider's View "William L. Thomson Jr." <wltjr@g.o>
Re: [gentoo-nfp] One Outsider's View Chris Gianelloni <wolf31o2@g.o>