[coreboot] On the subject of collaboration

[Alexandru Gagniuc]

On Saturday, February 14, 2015 12:33:11 AM Marc Jones wrote:
> On Fri Feb 13 2015 at 5:13:04 PM Alexandru Gagniuc <mr.nuke.me at gmail.com>
> 
> wrote:
> > On Saturday, February 14, 2015 12:05:28 AM Marc Jones wrote:
> > > Hi Everyone,
> > 
> > Hi,
> > 
> > > Please update the wiki page with project ideas.
> > > http://www.coreboot.org/Project_Ideas
> > 
> > That's the first unlocked page in the coreboot wiki I have seen for quite
> > some
> > time.
> 
> This comment is off topic.  Please don't hijack the thread about GSOC. If
> you would like to discuss locked wiki pages please start another thread.
> 
I respectfully disagree. I think collaboration is very relevant, _especially_ 
in the context of GSoC. And yet we have been moving away from this school of 
thought.

It's that time of the year it seems. Last year, there were talks about 
reducing the number of gerrit submitters. I'm certain you remember the anger 
this caused amongst non-commercial members of the community when the proposed 
list contained exclusively commercial community members, and I'm certain you 
remember how that almost lead to a fork.

This year's theme goes on the same lines. Except that it's not as tactful as 
last year. It's no longer "I'm planning to do this". It's "I've already done 
this". Let's see. We've locked most wiki pages to a select few contributors. A 
so-called code of conduct was unilaterally introduced. Let's look at each in 
part.

When it comes to the locked wiki pages keep in mind that most contributors 
make minor edits in response to real events. It has happened in the past that 
people were confused by the wording. So someone comes in and clarifies it on 
the spot, before they forget. Now those contributions get lost behind a non-
collaborative barrier.

Now the code of conduct... What constitutes any of the 'bad' behaviors 
mentioned? What you really get is people refusing to express an idea or 
opinion in fear of violating said ill-defined code, and in fear of 
retaliation. It's called a chilling effect. Again, good ideas get lost behind 
a non-collaborative barrier.

Do we really want to push people's nerves every year until we finally get a 
fork?

Alex

> Thanks,
> Marc