[ubuntu-studio-devel] Feature Specification for 14.10

[Kaj Ailomaa]

In this mail I sum up the preparations for specifying features for
Ubuntu Studio 14.10. Please don't discuss features in response to this
mail, as I will follow up with a series of mails on feature
specification planning per project, where we can iron out what to do
this next cycle. 
Everyone is welcome to join in those discussions!

// For anyone interested in reading more about the development process
of Ubuntu Studio, there's a a very incomplete documentation about that
here: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuStudio/DevelopmentCycle //

# LAUNCHPAD BLUEPRINTS

I've put together some blueprints here
https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntustudio/+spec/ubuntustudio-topic-u. 

Before we start filling each blueprint with work items, which are very
much in an early drafting stage currently, I would like us to discuss
the goals for each project separately - so, *please don't start editing
blueprints just yet*.

## what are blueprints for?

When we are done with specifying features for 14.10, the blueprints will
be where we keep track of what needs to be done, and who is assigned to
what task.

Each blueprint belongs to a specific project in launchpad, and is to
hold work items for that project (A work item is a hands on type of
task, and can be coupled with a bug report).

Some blueprints are topic blueprints, which depend on a set of other
blueprints. The main ubuntustudio-topic-u is at the root of this
dependency tree, mostly just to help keeping everything in one place.)

Drafters for launchpad blueprints are commonly the launchpad group that
acts as the driver for those projects, while the approver will always be
the ubuntustudio-core team. On approving blueprints, please see below.

# SPECIFICATION PLANNING FOR 14.10

I've put together a sum of things we've set out to do in the past here
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuStudio/UtopicUnicorn/WhiteBoardSpecs,
which I will use as base for starting discussions on feature specs for
different projects.

Anyone may suggest new features, even new projects. I'm only taking up
things I'm aware of, and frankly, things I remember to bring up - so
don't be shy in suggesting new things or having opinions about anything.

..on how democracy in this very small community of developers works:
 * If there are differing opinions about anything, we discuss it within
 the community.
 * If a discussion doesn't settle it, the ubuntustudio-core team will
 decide which way to go. 

The ubuntustudio-core team will follow a Debian-like philosophy and
also, try to implement as much upstream as possible. So:
 * If a feature suggestion is not specific to Ubuntu Studio, it should
 be implemented upstream - either in Ubuntu vanilla, Debian, or possible
 upstream application(s).
 * If a feature change/addition doesn't break or confuse anything else,
 there's no reason to disapprove it.
 * In the case where a feature addition/change WILL break something, and
 the community can't settle on one thing, ubuntustudio-core team will
 have to use their best judgment to find the best solution.

/Kaj Ailomaa - Ubuntu Studio project leader