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OSGeo discuss, OSGeo incubation, OSGeo board,<br>
<br>
I'm hoping the greater OSGeo community will consider and comment on
this question:<br>
<br>
Should OSGeo accept a "benevolent dictator" [1] governance model for
incubating projects?<br>
<br>
-0 from me, Cameron Shorter.<br>
<br>
Background:<br>
* As part of incubation, Peter Baumann, from Rasdaman has requested
a "benevolent dictatorship" governance model [2]. While "benevolent
dictatorships" often lead to successful projects, all prior OSGeo
incubated projects have selected "equal vote by PSC members".
Someone with better legal training than me might find "benevolent
dictatorships" to be unconstitutional according to OSGeo bylaws. [3]<br>
<br>
[1] Eric Raymond's "Homesteading the Noosphere":
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.catb.org/esr/writings/homesteading/homesteading/ar01s16.html">http://www.catb.org/esr/writings/homesteading/homesteading/ar01s16.html</a><br>
[2] <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.rasdaman.org/wiki/Governance">http://www.rasdaman.org/wiki/Governance</a><br>
[3]
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.osgeo.org/content/foundation/incorporation/bylaws.html">http://www.osgeo.org/content/foundation/incorporation/bylaws.html</a><br>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 1/05/2016 3:56 pm, Peter Baumann
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote cite="mid:57259A90.6080405@jacobs-university.de"
type="cite">
<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type">
Cameron-<br>
<br>
I understand where you are coming from, and your characterization
is definitely correct. While our process is and always has been
absolutely open to discussion so as to obtain the scientifically
and technically best solution this "benevolent dictatorship" has
brought rasdaman to where it stands now - it is designed by
innovation, not by committee. Just to get me right, our model is
certainly not the right one for every endeavour. Here it is the
most appropriate, and hence we will keep it.<br>
<br>
As you observe, this model is not contradicting OS as such, and
many projects run it. So ultimately it lies in the hand of OSGeo
to decide whether they accept the existing plurality of approaches
(in this case manifest with rasdaman).<br>
<br>
best,<br>
Peter<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 04/30/2016 10:47 PM, Cameron
Shorter wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote cite="mid:572519C8.3000908@gmail.com" type="cite">
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;
charset=utf-8">
Bruce, Peter,<br>
I've read through the incubation process documentation, and can
only see one thing which I think breaks our OSGeo principles.<br>
<br>
The Governance model includes a statement:<br>
"In all issues, the PSC strives to achieve unanimous consent
based on a free, independent exchange of facts and opinions.
Should such consent exceptionally not be reached then Peter
Baumann has a casting vote."<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="http://www.rasdaman.org/wiki/Governance">http://www.rasdaman.org/wiki/Governance</a><br>
<br>
This is describing a "benevolent dictator" model, which has
proved to be an effective model for many open source projects.
See Eric Raymond's "Homesteading the Noosphere": <a
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="http://www.catb.org/esr/writings/homesteading/homesteading/ar01s16.html"><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.catb.org/esr/writings/homesteading/homesteading/ar01s16.html">http://www.catb.org/esr/writings/homesteading/homesteading/ar01s16.html</a></a><br>
<br>
However, it is not in line with existing OSGeo Incubated
projects, which have documented a "vote by PSC" as the defining
governance process. In practice, the PSC community debate
alternatives, and if needed, respectfully revert to reasoned
advice provided by the "benevolent dictator".<br>
<br>
Peter, are you open to changing the governance model to a "vote
by PSC"?<br>
I'd be comfortable with a "vote by PSC, with PSC chair being
given 1.5 votes to break any deadlocks. I'd also be ok with PSC
chair defaulting to Peter (as founder), until such time as Peter
resigns from the role."<br>
<br>
Warm regards, Cameron
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Cameron Shorter,
Software and Data Solutions Manager
LISAsoft
Suite 112, Jones Bay Wharf,
26 - 32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009
P +61 2 9009 5000, W <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.lisasoft.com">www.lisasoft.com</a>, F +61 2 9009 5099</pre>
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