From d262f0953f76cc8c377ff89b9b9730bf5cafc30f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Nico Schottelius Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 09:16:53 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] offlineimap searches for a new maintainer Signed-off-by: Nico Schottelius --- ...ineimap-and-hpodder-need-a-maintainer.mdwn | 52 +++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 52 insertions(+) create mode 100644 blog/offlineimap-and-hpodder-need-a-maintainer.mdwn diff --git a/blog/offlineimap-and-hpodder-need-a-maintainer.mdwn b/blog/offlineimap-and-hpodder-need-a-maintainer.mdwn new file mode 100644 index 00000000..a5dacfe4 --- /dev/null +++ b/blog/offlineimap-and-hpodder-need-a-maintainer.mdwn @@ -0,0 +1,52 @@ +[[!meta title="Searching for a maintainer for offlineimap and hpodder"]] + +As [John Goerzen](http://www.complete.org/JohnGoerzen) created at +least one useful software, +[offlineimap](http://software.complete.org/software/projects/show/offlineimap), +which I'm daily using, I think I owe him at least this article. + +He +[describes an interesting problem](http://changelog.complete.org/archives/1463-moral-obligations-of-free-software-authors), we FOSS developers have: + + He is happy with his software, but others would like to see more features. + +I know that situation very well, if you think you're done, somebody just +pops up with a new situation or problem and I think: + + Yeah, how to solve that? + +Yes, if I think it's an interesting problme, I take the time +to discuss it and maybe to develop a solution for it. + +But sometimes I've other priorities (like family, studies or +- believe it or not - to enjoy the fine weather outside) and +then I reply: + + Dear hacker, cool problem! Here are my quality requirements, + can you just send me a patch that applies cleanly against + current development code (prefarable a git source)? + +I cannot implement every (sensible) feature in software I've written +and I don't think it's my duty. That's what FOSS is all about: + + If people care, they fork or create a patch. + If not, it's probably not worth implementing it anyway. + +Regarding the ressources you're providing, John, I handle it that +way: I always provide + + * the source within version control (so things don't get messed up) and + * a public contact point with archives (i.e. a mailing list) + +These two points ensure that everybody who wants to contribute, can so. +I don't think a bugtracker, wiki, etc is worth it for most projects, +(you don't have bugs in your software anyway, do you? ;-), but + + If people care, they can setup a wiki, bugtracker, etc themselves. + +Coming back to the title, as said John is searching for a maintainer for + + * [offlineimap](http://software.complete.org/software/projects/show/offlineimap) and + * [hpodder](http://software.complete.org/software/projects/show/hpodder). + +If you're reading this article, you may be interested in helping him ;-)