[Koha] Request to the community

[Chris Cormack]

2009/8/10 Krishnan M <kmlist at yahoo.in>:
> (Perhaps someone with more mileage in the Koha world should champion
> this...)
>
> I would like to request that we (as a community) take some positive steps to
> advance Koha in the light of recent (heated) discussion about changes to
> Koha possibly not making it back into core in good time for use by the
> largest possible number of users.
>
> Personally, i am convinced we will all be better off if we ensure a vibrant
> culture of contribution. Let's think about and put in place mechanisms that
> help this.
>
> The business end of the discussion, first:
>
> For example,
> 1) Let's create a process for everyone developing specific features by
> themselves to publish outlines of the same (using an RFC format, for
> example). This can include vendor development sponsored by customers.

This already exists, and has for a while

http://wiki.koha.org/doku.php?id=en:development:rfcs3.2  english RFC's
http://wiki.koha.org/doku.php?id=fr:development:rfcs3.2  french


> 2) The process may allow for conceivable time offsets/delays, and certain
> other provisions for protecting the interests of the customers, including
> confidentiality, competitive considerations, etc.
> 3) As part of this process, participants can include commitments to
> contribute upto (or not less than) a particular portion of such additions
> 4) The process will include tracking that will self-report over a period of
> time how participants are keeping up (planned vs. actual), or even for the
> community to "report" on  what they think is happening
> 5) While it may be inadvisable or infeasible to "throw the licensing book
> at" people, the important news always makes it out sooner or
> later...especially within the community
>
> Let's be careful to avoid even the slightest hint of "policing". We want
> this to be a friendly exchange.
>
> *BOLD* I am willing to bet anything that participants will benefit many
> times more than what they "put in" *BOLD*
>
> Now, onto other 'softer' aspects:
>
> Let's stop casting aspersions and bashing people/vendors, etc. on the list.
> The negative energy does no good.
>
> i like to adopt a simple philosophy to contributing to open source: There's
> nothing to lose (and conversely, nothing to gain...this latter might need
> some explanation, but later...). All of us have our own reasons for doing
> what we do, and no one needs sit 'in judgement' over others.
>
> Also, all feedback is welcome, so long as we use it constructively:
> When someone says 'Koha is good', i feel nice.
> When someone says 'Koha is not upto scratch', i feel even better: here's an
> opportunity to learn from them what exactly is it about Koha that can be
> improved to change that opinion in substance!
>
> Koha would not be what it is without the participation of every one that was
> ever involved, one way or another, and i mean that in the widest possible
> sense.
>
> Best regards,
> krishnan
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