Xubuntu team direction

[Pasi Lallinaho]

Jim Campbell wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
>  
>
> Although I was only there for two of the days, and Cody was sick for
> one of those two days, Cody and I we were able to meet during UDS, and
> talk about possible plans for the 10.04 release of Xubuntu.
>
>  
>
> Of course we talked about some of the regular topics (and I'll have a
> separate email about those), but I wanted to separate out a key
> component of our plans from any discussions about regular
> distro-related issues.  Specifically, we need to talk about team
> leadership and team member roles. 
>
> As you know, after several releases as the project lead for Xubuntu,
> Cody wants to step down and assume the role of a regular contributor. 
> I spoke briefly with Daniel Holbach while at UDS, and the community
> council would prefer that we attempt to come to a decision as a group
> instead of just bringing the matter to the community council.  It
> makes sense, as we should be self-directed rather than dependent on an
> outside group to come to a decision that we may not like (and that may
> not work for us).
>
>
> With that, it's really up to us to decide how we handle the
> transition.  Do we want to continue to have a singular project
> leader?  If so, what responsibilities would that entail, and who could
> that be?  If we choose not to go that route, or if no one wishes to
> assume that role, could a group of people assume particular leadership
> roles?  What could this look like? 
>
>  
>
> We need to decide this as a community, so please share your thoughts. 
> What would be best for Xubuntu?  What would you like to see?  What
> concerns do you have, and how could those concerns be addressed?  What
> role(s) would you be willing and able to assume?  Feel free to share
> any other questions or thoughts.
>
>
> Thanks very much,
>
>
> Jim
>
>
>
Thanks Jim for bringing this topic up. I appreciate it very much.

With all respect to Cody, I think the singular project leader approach
didn't work out too great on some of the situations. Too many times I
thought there was this one guy who always could veto anything any other
leader had done. This was discussed once thoroughly and as Cody said, he
thought working with the rest of the team was easier and kind of more
pleasant. And I couldn't agree more. There wasn't that much decisions to
be done after that, so I don't know if this approach would have worked
in the long run after all.

Thank you again, Cody.

So where am I coming here? Well, I think Xubuntu could benefit from
several leadership roles. Maybe these leaders could form some kind of
council to discuss some important things and bring a shared
conclusion/settlement if the developer community seems to disagree a
lot. If there still would be disagreement and the council couldn't come
to any conclusion, then I think the leader for the particular team would
have the final word.

I once left the Amarok project as I wasn't listened to when I spoke on
artwork and web – even if I was clearly the guy with most experience on
those areas. I've had a fear that the Xubuntu team would slowly slide
into this situation and several coordinated and equal powered leaders
would definitely take away this fear.

Referring to my previous email to the development mailing list [1] I
will focus on other things than previously, but I'm willing to continue
as the Xubuntu Marketing Lead if nobody has any objections about that.
This would probably also mean that I'd be one of the several leaders,
representing marketing and, obviously, artwork.

Whatever the path is we choose to follow, one thing is for sure: we need
more developers.

[1] https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/xubuntu-devel/2009-October/007158.html

Cheers,

-- 
Pasi Lallinaho
Xubuntu Marketing Lead
Web-designer, graphic artist
IRC: knome @ freenode

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