[Incubator] Incubation Meeting 15 Minuets [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

[Daniel Morissette]

On 11-11-21 06:11 PM, Bruce Bannerman wrote:
>
> @Daniel,
>
> By way of background:
>
> I am a former developer. However, it has been many (>5) years since I
> have cut code in anger. I have spent a number of years in sysadmin,
> solutions and enterprise architecture. In addition, I have managed a
> very diverse development team for the last few years. I’m currently
> managing a large and complex platform migration to RHEL with significant
> (>350) bespoke applications and associated databases. I have a diverse
> spatial background with qualifications, skills and experience in
> cartography, surveying, GIS, spatial and image analysis. In all, I have
> around 30 years experience in the spatial / IT domains.
>
> Granted, I have not spent time on a specific OSGeo Project. However, I
> have been part of the OSGeo Community for over five years and the
> broader open source community for ten+ years. I do have a good feel for
> how OSGeo would like to run projects from the many lists that I
> subscribe to and participate in (e.g. Discuss); from my two years
> helping to organise FOSS4G-2009; and five years helping to establish
> OSGeo-AustNZ. I have also read and been inspired by Ken Fogel’s
> excellent book [1]. For the OSGeo bits that I haven’t picked up yet
> through my career, my time as a manager; and my time in FOSS, I’m sure
> that Jody will keep me honest and on the right track.
>

Hi Bruce, and all,

I guess it would have been easier if I just +1'd the decision without 
asking any question, but since I raised the bar I feel that I have to 
justify myself now for having expressed higher requirements than the 
rest of the group, so here we go...

(please do not read this as a rant... just an explanation of a point of 
view)

Hopefully you all realize that it is nothing about Bruce personally, but 
more that as a rule of thumb I think that until one has been involved in 
an OSGeo project for a while it is hard to understand the reasons behind 
the way some things are done, and to properly relay those reasons and 
ways to operate. BTW, I never suggested that a mentor had to be a 
developer (others may have suggested that, but not me)... I personally 
believe that any type of contributor (e.g. a docs contributor, QA 
specialist, project manager or power user) could do a great job too if 
they've been involved in a project for a while, hopefully as contributor.

My take is that the reason why we want mentors during incubation is not 
just to have one sit on a mailing list, but to actually have that person 
actively advise the project on the way to adjust their processes to meet 
OSGeo's expectations. (Once again, I am not suggesting that Bruce would 
"just sit on a mailing list"... this is my rule of thumb for any 
mentor... and it's just mine since I don't think it's documented anywhere)

I didn't write -1, but +0... so it was not an objection, but a weak 
support since I don't know Bruce personally and the main arguments that 
I received in favor of him were related to his hard work on the 
conferences, which while they demonstrate very strong commitment to 
OSGeo, didn't demonstrate direct project involvement and didn't fully 
meet my criteria for an *incubation mentor*.

Of course if I had known you (Bruce) personally I would have known about 
your strong IT background and would have had less questions. After your 
response (thank you for taking the time to provide so much details) I am 
confident that your exceptional commitment to OSGeo combined with your 
IT experience will help you go through this exercise, and Jody can 
fill-in for the rest if needed.

Thank you for your offer to mentor and all your volunteer work for OSGeo 
BTW. We need more people like you, and I hope my tough questions are not 
discouraging anyone from getting involved.

Daniel
-- 
Daniel Morissette
http://www.mapgears.com/
Provider of Professional MapServer Support since 2000