Hi Andy,
On 8/01/2005, you wrote:
[...]
The CVS/SVN issue seems to prove this. It also shows that the FIRST THING we should really do is get organised. Otherwise we're not even going to get basic decisions made. I suggest that we drop all else and concentrate on that first, then we'll be in a better position to restart these discussions.
It is all too easy to become bogged down in endless discussions like those we read on public forums. People trying to persuade others of their beliefs repeat the same arguments over and over again. This fate has befallen every "open" group that I have ever joined, with one exception.
The problem is always the same - no one is in charge, no one makes decisions, no one has authority. The one successful group that I can think of has one person who is in overall charge and all others bow to his authority.
I believe that we ought to have a "management committee" that makes the decisions about questions like version control, how we are going to proceed from any given point, etc. This committee would be small (say three members), and their decision would rule. If anyone wants to join the group, (s)he has to accept the rulings handed down by the Committee.
I propose that we have three people, each with expertise in one of the three key areas of Linux, AmigaOS and resource management. These three would jointly decide (after public discussion if necessary) questions that need to be resolved. I would expect the Committee to apportion work to sub-groups and to collate the whole. If the Committee members need to be replaced/refurbished, etc, then it would be up to the other "normal" members to approve a replacement. It would be expected that any committee member who makes him/herself unpopular or useless would be expected to stand down on request of a majority of the members.
Now I can think of several people who might fill the roles I have mentioned above, but I should like to hear others' ideas. If other people agree with my proposal, the right people for the Committee might become obvious.
cheers tony