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Revision as of 01:30, 30 January 2013
, 01:30, 30 January 2013Added in a load of bits - needs a proper tidy up.
Future of SME Server
== A document to discuss potential management and roadmap at SME==
== A Community Discussion ==
A document to discuss potential management and roadmap at SME
First, in case you wondered, a bit about me. My name is John Crisp, I am 50 (dammit, I hate that number), British with a very sick sense of humour, but live in Spain where my wife (The boss both literally and metaphorically) and I run a small business back in the UK.
First, in case you wondered, a bit about me. My name is John Crisp, I am 50 (dammit, I hate that number), British with a very sick sense of humour, but live in Spain where my wife (The boss both literally and metaphorically) and I run a small business back in the UK.
I'm a jack of all trades and master of none. I am not a computer professional, though I have been using computers one way or another for over 30 years. I run the IT for our little company, and the reason for my interest and involvement with SME is down to the use of SME servers in the business and friends for around 10 years. I am not a developer. Just a tinkerer really.
I'm a jack of all trades and master of none. I am not a computer professional, though I have been using computers one way or another for over 30 years. I run the IT for our little company, and the reason for my interest and involvement with SME is down to the use of SME servers in the business, and for friends, for around 10 years. I am not a developer. Just a tinkerer really.
SME has been the bedrock of our business and I have, over the years, tried to put something back in to the community. Now seems the time to put a bit more back.
SME has been the bedrock of our business and I have, over the years, tried to put something back in to the community. Now seems the time to put a bit more back.
At the moment SME has neither. If we want to move SME forward we have therefore got to build both of these at the same time.
At the moment SME has neither. If we want to move SME forward we have therefore got to build both of these at the same time.
== First, a plan ==
== First, a plan. ==
I have been trying to canvas opinion from users on the mailing lists and via IRC. I have also received personal emails as well.
I have been trying to canvas opinion from users on the mailing lists and via IRC. I have also received personal emails as well.
I have had mainly good comments, but some criticsing the project for having no leadership or direction. I have been a bit short with those who cricised, and want a lot, but have done nothing themselves to help. “I'm too busy selling SME servers to do anything to help” has gotten short shrift.
I have had mainly good comments, but some criticising the project for having no leadership or direction. I have been a bit short with those who criticised, and want a lot, but have done nothing themselves to help. “I'm too busy selling SME servers to do anything to help” has gotten short shrift.
Although not a massive sample, the general consensus seems to be as follows :
==== Move the current base to CentOS 6 as soon as possible ====
This is to allow installation on newer hardware, allow easier installation of other applications with less interference of the existing subsystem. CentOS 5 is already getting on. Users want to keep abreast of newer technologies. The pace of change is fast. We may not all like it, but we cannot change it. We have to make some sort of attempt to keep there or thereabouts. Users and developers want the knowledge that the platform will be current and supported to allow them time to develop applications for it.
'''Current status''' : People are already working on porting SME to CentOS 6. It has been referred to as SME Server v9. SME v8 to be maintained for the foreseeable future, but the focus of development and effort will be on the new system to try and get it out as soon as possible.
The current consensus is that though there are plenty of things that we would like to be added to v9 the best thing is to get it out of the door, and then develop new ideas for a v9.1 e.g. LDAP, SAMBA, VPS etc.
==== Need to increase funding ====
==== Need to increase funding ====
Site costs - all donations go there today, and it is not enough. Shad has been open and provided what numbers he can.
Site costs - all donations go there today, and it is not enough. Shad has been open and provided what numbers he can.
Development money for Charlie,
Development money for Charlie,
Development money for Shad
Development money for Shad<br />
If we generate funds then there will be a need to account for them and means accountants and lawyers
If we generate funds then there will be a need to account for them and means accountants and lawyers
Traditionally SME has been developer led, but it also needs a firm financial footing to help fund current and future costs. No money, no honey as they say.
Traditionally SME has been developer led, but it also needs a firm financial footing to help fund current and future costs. No money, no honey as they say.
Current status : Shad has already reported that average income is only a couple of hundred dollars a month and that just about meets his hardare costs.
'''Current status''' : Dire. Shad has already reported that average income is only a couple of hundred dollars a month and that just about meets his hosting costs.
There are suggestions on how to monetise SME whilst still retaining its Open Source tradition. The first thing that springs to mind is some form of advertising on the web site. The current site, though a great resource for SME, does not really sell the product. In the first instance it looks old, and there is a lot of material that is very old and needs bringing up to date – there is work on going already in that department.
There are a number of people looking at ideas on how to get greater visibility, more users, and attract potential sponsors or advertisers. We need to have a product in which people see a future, and a concept they can buy in to.
There are a small group looking at the whole marketing aspect of SME including redevelopment of the front page. There have been a varity of suggestion that are being looked at :
There are a small group looking at the whole marketing aspect of SME including redevelopment of the front page. There have been a variety of suggestion that are being looked at :
Should we rebrand or just redefine SME in the market place ?
Should we rebrand or just redefine SME in the market place ?
Revitalize/redesign the website<br />
Make it sexy<br />
Look at (appropriate) advertising <br />
Donations<br />
Subscriptions<br />
Would we use a CMS or do a ground up design ?<br />
If CMS the which one (So many to choose from) <br />
Run a contest on Contribs asking for ideas for an updated SME brand ?<br />
Other suggestions include asking for specific donations of hardware, or assistance with media, marketing, website design, finance and law.
Other suggestions include asking for specific donations of hardware, or assistance with media, marketing, website design, finance and law.
Love it or loath it, Social Media is in. We don't all have to embrace it, but we DO need to use it to get the message out there.
Love it or loath it, Social Media is in. We don't all have to embrace it, but we DO need to use it to get the message out there.
SMEs greatest feature, and its greatest downfall, is its simplicity. It tends to attract less technical users who do not feel able to help with coding or more technical matters. We have to convert the 'I can't help' mentality by asking different questions. There are dozens of different people out there and they can all bring something to the party. Having chatted with quite a few, quite often you find that they either just need some encouragement and a a bit of confidence, or that they other skills that are useful.
Raising income levels is a major task, and very important. How we do it is an area we need to discuss further.
==== Manpower ====
SMEs greatest feature, and its greatest downfall, is its simplicity. It tends to attract less technical users who do not feel able to help with coding or more technical matters.
'''Current status''' : Dire. We are very low on manpower, and people have been drifting away as they have felt the project had no future. We have to reverse this.
We have to convert the 'I can't help' mentality by asking different questions. There are dozens of different people out there and they can all bring something to the party. Having chatted with quite a few, you often find that they either just need some encouragement and a a bit of confidence, or that they have other skills that are useful.
This needs developing and working on. Motivation isn’t rocket science. We need to offer positive support to newcomers. They need some handholding and encouragement. We have to allow for their inexperience. We were all beginners once upon a time...... some of us still are !!!!!
Another thought was schools/ universities – trying to get younger people involved in the project. After all, they are the future. I'm sure there are plenty of other avenues that can be looked at.
The upshot is we need to convert more users to helpers. With discussions and development of v9, and subsequent chats in IRC, we already have a number of new faces. This needs to be worked on by everyone, all the time.
We also needs a project that has a future and that will attract new developers
== Need for some form of organisation ==
Whether we like it or not, we need to have some form of organisation. Without it the project will be like a headless chicken.
Whether we like it or not, we need to have some form of organisation. Without it the project will be like a headless chicken.
In discussions it seems that a simple structure similar to the following would be a reasonable path to take :
In discussions it seems that a simple structure similar to the following would be a reasonable path to take :
* Development
*Development<br />
* Bugs & maintenance
*Bugs & maintenance<br />
* Contributed packages (current and old/ unmaintained)
*Contributed packages (current and old/ unmaintained)<br />
* Wiki & Docs
*Wiki & Docs<br />
* Forums
*Forums<br />
* Media / Marketing
*Media / Marketing<br />
Finance & Legal<br />
We have a number of people who have indicated they will assist. The list is by no means exhaustive and I have missed people off – I still can't always remember peoples names coupled with email addresses and IRC nicks ! If I have missed you, please add yourself, or contact anyone here and they will help.
'''Current top of the pile''', but a position open to discussion : John Crisp
'''Development :'''
Ian Wells is currently leading the charge in this area. He would like around 7 developers plus a few testers to help verify.
Ian Wells is currently leading the charge in this area. He would like around 7 developers plus a few testers to help verify.
Ian Wells
Ian Wells<br />
Charlie Brady
Charlie Brady<br />
Shad Lords
Shad Lords<br />
Greg Zartman
Greg Zartman<br />
Daniel Berteaud
Daniel Berteaud<br />
John Crisp
John Crisp<br />
'''Testing :'''
Chris Burnat<br />
jester ??<br />
Huib de Visser<br />
'''Bugs and maintenance'''<br />
'''Current SME v8 mainline packages :'''<br />
Developers as above
Contributed packages :
'''Contributed packages :'''<br />
Package maintainers
Package maintainers (could do with some feedback in this area !)(
Old packages :
'''Old packages :'''<br />
Jean-Philippe PIALASSE
Jean-Philippe PIALASSE
'''Wiki & Docs :'''<br />
Chris Burnat,
Chris Burnat<br />
Terr Fage<br />
'''Forums :'''<br />
I do not yet know who the moderators are but I would be grateful if someone could put their names here !
I do not yet know who the moderators are but I would be grateful if someone could put their names here !
Forums give a great opportunity to try and get users to assist more with the project. If they are stuck, after possibly browsing some documentation, it is the next place they will look. We need to be pro active in trying to support them, and getting them to support us.
Bearing in mind many don’t know much about, or don’t want to use mailing lists in the first instance, it is a good place to announce things and keep people up to date as well.
'''Media, Marketing, Legal & Finance :'''<br />
John Crisp<br />
Greg Zartman<br />
Tony Keane<br />
== Summary ==
Ultimately we have a loyal and dedicated following and some fantastic knowledge and experience. SME is fundamentally a great distro that has kind of lost itself in cyberspace. We need to find it, put it’s feet back on the ground and set it running. Harness the good stuff, make it work.
It won’t be easy. It may need some radical thinking.
But *I* believe it IS possible.
The rest is up to the community. If they want it to work it will, but the community need to get together and work as one.
There is no point in saying in 2 years time ‘oh I wish I had done something to help’
Now is the time. Whatever your level, whatever your skill, you can make a contribution. Ask, and we’ll find you something to do !
To coin that old phrase :
Don’t ask your distro what it can do for you. Ask what you can do for your distro :-)
==Follow Up==
Please follow up this post on the Discussion mailing list :
You can join all the lists here [http://lists.contribs.org/mailman/listinfo/]
This is the official place for discussion on the future of SME.
For more Genral Chat please visit the Forums [http://forums.contribs.org] or there is a also a IRC channel where people who are interested in this effort 'hang out'. You're most welcome to drop by and/or join. It's free! ;-)
You do not have to install anything to pay the channel a visit. All you need is a nice nickname and right click [http://webchat.freenode.net?channels=SME_server&uio=Mj10cnVlJjk9dHJ1ZSYxMT03Mg13 here] to open the channel in a new browser window or tab.
