[FM Discuss] scribn the bazaar

[chris hofmann]

I don't think there is anything wrong with strong ownership for code 
(that keeps the software running and improving), or for books (that 
keeps things the work coherent, engaging, reflecting the authors orginal 
point of view).  In fact I think it should be encouraged.

The thing about open source software, and FLOSS Manuals, is that if the 
"owner" is not respectful or interested in the contributions of others, 
or invite or accept their contributions,  then the others have the 
ability to fork the work.

It goes back to a couple of few points in the cathedral and the bazzar.

-treat your beta users [and contributors] as your most valuable resource 
and they will become your most valuable resource.

-forking [or in the case of books, remixing] is always an option

-if you stop working on a project your last responsibility is to hand it 
off to someone else

I know Adam doesn't like the term benevolent dictator.   I'm not exactly 
sure why.  As defined in the cathedral and the bazzar Adam and knowledge 
experts that work at the book sprints to produce the work are great 
examples of benevolent dictators:

-they have a strong vision for the work that they want to produce

-are excellent organizers

-are good at keeping the focus on the most important elements of the 
project and rooting out distractions

-are constantly triaging and rebalancing the work that is desired 
against what is practical and feasible on a given schedule.

I think the strong sense of ownership and responsibility Adam, Janet, 
and others create at the sprints is a key element to their success.   
Its possible you might loose a bit of that if the rules of the game are 
that anyone can come along and change the repository of the team's 
content at any time and turn it into something that was not intended by 
the original creators.   forking and remixing works to preserve the best 
of both worlds.  strong ownership but the creators, and the ability for 
others to take the work in a different direction if they think they have 
one.

-chofmann

adam hyde wrote:
> On Wed, 2009-11-11 at 11:03 -0600, Janet Swisher wrote:
>   
>>  But
>> throwing open the door to let anybody change the work is really quite
>> radical.
>>
>>     
>
> do you think it works? ie. are you satisfied with the quality of fm
> content generated due to this open policy?
>
> adam
>
>
>   
>> --Janet
>> _______________________________________________
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>>     
>
>
>