Changes

== 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 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.

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 :

Although not a massive sample, the general consensus seems to be as follows :

==== Move the current base to CentOS 6 as soon as possible ====

==== 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 />

* Revitalize/redesign the website

Make it sexy<br />

* Make it sexy

Look at (appropriate) advertising <br />

* Look at (appropriate) advertising

Donations<br />

* Donations

Subscriptions<br />

* Subscriptions

Would we use a CMS or do a ground up design ?<br />

* Would we use a CMS or do a ground up design ?

If CMS the which one (So many to choose from) <br />

* If CMS the which one (So many to choose from)

Run a contest on Contribs asking for ideas for an updated SME brand ?<br />

* Run a contest on Contribs asking for ideas for an updated SME brand ?

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.

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<br />

* Development

*Bugs & maintenance<br />

* Bugs & maintenance

*Contributed packages (current and old/ unmaintained)<br />

* Contributed packages (current and old/ unmaintained)

*Wiki & Docs<br />

* Wiki & Docs

*Forums<br />

* Forums<br />

*Media / Marketing<br />

* Media / Marketing

Finance & Legal<br />

* Finance & Legal

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.

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.

'''Development :'''

==== 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<br />

* Ian Wells

Charlie Brady<br />

* Charlie Brady

Shad Lords<br />

* Shad Lords

Greg Zartman<br />

* Greg Zartman

Daniel Berteaud<br />

* Daniel Berteaud

John Crisp<br />

* John Crisp

Chris Burnat<br />

jester ??<br />

* Chris Burnat

Huib de Visser<br />

* jester ??

Terry Fage<br />

* Huib de Visser

* Terry Fage

'''Current SME v8 mainline packages :'''<br />

===== Current SME v8 mainline packages =====

Developers as above

Developers as above

'''Contributed packages :'''<br />

===== Contributed packages =====

Package maintainers (could do with some feedback in this area !)(

Package maintainers (could do with some feedback in this area !)

'''Old packages :'''<br />

===== Old packages =====

Jean-Philippe PIALASSE

* Jean-Philippe PIALASSE

'''Wiki & Docs :'''<br />

===== Wiki & Docs =====

Chris Burnat<br />

* Chris Burnat

Terr Fage<br />

* Terry Fage

Stephane de Labrusse<br />

* Stephane de Labrusse

'''Forums :'''<br />

===== Forums =====

Terry Fage<br />

* Terry Fage

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 !

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.

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 />

==== Media, Marketing, Legal & Finance ====

John Crisp<br />

* John Crisp

Greg Zartman<br />

* Greg Zartman

Tony Keane<br />

* Tony Keane

 

== Summary ==

== Summary ==