From 98fd937a19a178f490582cf0cf5f04dec1136159 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: =?UTF-8?q?Ludovic=20Court=C3=A8s?= Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2021 22:23:16 +0200 Subject: website: kickoff: Quote Andy's 2011 message. Suggested by Mark Wielaard. With permission from Andy Wingo. * website/posts/kickoff.md: Add Andy's 2011 message. --- posts/kickoff.md | 65 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++- 1 file changed, 64 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/posts/kickoff.md b/posts/kickoff.md index e1ce54c..9af7c3e 100644 --- a/posts/kickoff.md +++ b/posts/kickoff.md @@ -1,5 +1,5 @@ title: Launching the GNU Assembly web site -date: 2021-04-16 14:00:0 +date: 2021-04-16 14:00:00 author: The GNU Assembly --- @@ -11,6 +11,69 @@ developers of GNU packages who are all “hacking for user freedom” and who [share a vision](/en/documents/social-contract) for the umbrella project. +Truth be told, this is an old story finally becoming a reality. Almost +ten years ago, Andy Wingo (of GNU Guile) emailed GNU maintainers: + +``` +From: Andy Wingo +Subject: [gnu-prog-discuss] An experimental GNU Assembly +To: gnu-prog-discuss +Date: Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:32:09 + +Greetings, GNU maintainers. + +At the last GNU Hacker's Meeting in Paris, we talked a lot about the +social structure of the GNU project. There was broad consensus that the +GNU project would be healthier and more effective if GNU maintainers had +the ability to act collectively, beyond our capacities in our individual +projects. + +This mail is an attempt to take concrete steps in that direction. I'm +trying to reflect the consensus we reached in Paris, though the words +are mine only. + +In brief, I would like to propose an experiment: the creation of a new +forum for collective decision-making in the GNU project. This "GNU +Assembly" (or whatever we call it) will discuss topics relevant to the +GNU project, with the goal of producing technical recommendations +through a process of consensus-building. + +The major organ of the GNU Assembly will be a new mailing list, with +public archives. The details of the discussion and +recommendation-producing structure should be worked out on that list. + +Ideally I would like for all core GNU contributors to participate in +this experiment. Following Debian's example, GNU Assembly members +should first agree on a founding document of principles. This document +should be short and sweet: something about the four freedoms, preference +for copyleft, and mutual respect among assembly members. + +Please give your reactions on this list. Eventually this discussion +should be archived publicly, so please start a new thread if you do not +want your message archived on the new list, and mark it as such. + +If there is agreement, I would like to start work on a draft Social +Contract within the week, and open a new assembly@gnu.org mailing list +shortly. + +Let's give it a go! + +Yours in free software, + +Andy +``` + +Why this did not happen “within the week” belongs to the past; +everything in this message describes our effort today. We came up with +a [founding document](/en/documents/social-contract) last year through a +[transparent discussion +process](https://wiki.gnu.tools/gnu:gsc-feedback), followed by a [formal +endorsement +period](https://wiki.gnu.tools/gnu:social-contract-endorsement). The +public [Assembly +list](https://lists.gnu.tools/hyperkitty/list/assembly@lists.gnu.tools/) +is where this group discusses. + Currently, the GNU Assembly consists of maintainers and developers from about [30 packages](/en/software)—old and young, small and big. You too can [join us](/en/contribute)! -- cgit v1.2.1