[AktiviX-discuss] [Fwd: Re:] motivations of developers] (OOo)

[ana]

Hi,

I got this email in one of the Open Office email lists and i wanted to 
ask you what you think.. i have edited it so that it is not so long. My 
first impression, and knowing that OpenOffice is fast becoming 'THE' 
office suite of FreeSoftware, i.e. huge project, and that many people 
are starting to make money distributing, teaching it... what do you think?

the discussion, on the list, began with some concerns that so many 
people are making money, except the developers, and there are not enough 
developers given the size of the whole project.

-------- Original Message --------

Erwin Tenhumberg wrote:

<snip: two groups: volunteers, and corporante sponsors />

> For the first group we have to lower the entry barriers (both
> technically and socially). We also have to make the project a cool
> and fun place with a bright future. Volunteers want to enjoy
> working on a project and they want to see some kind of reward
> (fame, world peace, a cool paid job, money, ...) in the end.
> 
> For the second group we need to make sure that companies
> continue or better increase their investments in the project.
> To achieve this, OpenOffice.org needs to be financially
> attractive for vendors.
> 
> Do people here agree with these assumptions? What is missing?
> What is wrong?

I agree.  I think you have the right ideas.


> In case people do agree, what needs to be done to get there?
> What is under our control? What not? How can we change things that
> are not under our control through indirect means like influencing,
> evangelizing, "selling", and partnering.

I can only speak from the POV of the volunteer side.  Some of these things we 
are doing already, others may not be feasible, others are feasible and we are 
not doing yet:

 (1) The application framework will significantly lower the technical barrier.

 (2) The addons page will help a lot, provided that people can upload addons
 without hassle, and the average person can install them easily.

 (3) Make an OOoFoundation to handle copyrights, money, infrastructure, etc.
 It will make OOo more community ran both in appearance and in practice (both
 are important).

 (4) I understand the need for the JCA, but it deters some from contributing
 code.  Some ideas:

    * The addons page (2) would help a lot.
    * As would an OOoFoundation (3).  People might be more willing to
      share their copyright with a non-profit.
    * Have a separate directory where we can ship non-JCA contributions.
      We already ship things that Sun doesn't own (e.g. python).


I'm not sure if OOoFoundation is feasible, but the others certainly are.

Cheers,
-- 
Daniel Carrera            | No trees were harmed in the generation of
Join OOoAuthors today!    | this email.  A significant number of electrons
http://www.oooauthors.org | were, however, severely inconvenienced.


-- 

key: llave:
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