[FM Discuss] thinking about moving on

Mon May 16 04:25:30 PDT 2011

On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 20:26, adam <adam at xs4all.nl> wrote:
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> hey
>
> so, just a quickie. i wanted to mention on the list that i am thinking
> about moving on from FM. I feel FM is pretty much ready to stand on its
> own feet without me and actually I feel there is possibly a point when
> its better for an org to untether from the founder. Also good for the
> founder before i get a case of founderitis (its a common and documented
> problem for not-for-profit orgs).

A quickie? Wow, something got lost in translation there - and we're countrymen!

> My timing will be between 6 months to 18 months depending on a few
> things that may or may not eventuate.

Cool - good you bought it up now!

> Anyways, plenty of time to raise my hand to say its on the radar and for
> us to make some preparations for this. I have already sort of made some
> preparations if you want to see it that way - most of the admin tools
> are now in 'your' hands and John is very well versed in most things to
> help anyone that is a little lost. There are a few bigger picture issues
> that we would need to pin down. I have always been absolutely against
> policies (rules deter participation) and I have strong positions on
> licensing (hate it and think the discussion have no place 'in FM - big
> time waster) and openness (love it - FM must continue to be as open as
> possible). I would like to feel that I parted with those intact and an
> org able to carry those values on.

I think these are all important points too, but short of being a
benevolent dictator for life, you have to leave room for movement. I
certainly don't want to be the person rocking that boat, but it's
important that we hear and accept other viewpoints on the off chance
that they may be for the best :)

Further, while I understand that the FM/Booki community has come leaps
and bounds since I've joined, and that John is more than capable of
being the knowledge bridge, I feel that organisations and NGOs like
FM/Booki *need* a champion, a patron - not necessarily a leader in the
traditional sense, but someone of vision and drive and motivation,
someone that knows the email addresses of people in the Mozilla
Foundation or the Knight Foundation, someone that knows how to put in
a grant application or an award presentation, someone that even knows
that those things exist and that we should be putting FM into those
situations, someone that has the three main developer's mobile numbers
and has the capacity to find money to fund their work when needed, and
to gently get them working when the cash is running short.

I don't know if John would want to or can do those things, and I'd be
happy to put my support behind him if he put his hand up - or anyone
on this list whose name I recognise sufficiently through respect or
ideas. I certainly don't think I am suitable - my involvement has been
sporadic at best and trailed off recently as my family has grown. I
know a few people that I would suggest would be capable from outside
the org - if they would even be interested (both Anna Helme and Andrew
Lowenthal from Engagemedia spring to mind if only because I've worked
with them before, and Jaromil, who  I know less well but I know is
fiery). To some degree I feel like I'm betraying my anarchist roots
and desires by saying these things out loud, but after almost 20 years
in computing, I think that it's the groups that have that figure that
continue to strive successfully.

I'd be interested to hear other's thoughts on this topic in particular.

> Also, I would be available for Book Sprint facilitation and some other
> stuff. But mainly I want to see FM 'handed on' to new blood and in a way
> that means the future will continue to get bright for FM and its role in
> pushing forward the ever expanding scope of free documentation for free
> software...

*I raise my wine glass*

> On that thought I think how things should work sans-adam should be a
> topic for the forthcoming fm meet in germany.

A great idea, but worth noting that not everyone will be able to make
it to Germany for a range of reasons, and that should be considered -
even the fact that a tweet-fest/irc discussion during the meet would
still not really suffice.

I apologise for late night ramblings and just throwing thoughts out
there without too many solutions, but I feel invested in FM and want
to see it continue strongly.

After all that, Adam, I totally understand your need to move on, but
we will be poorer for it and will have to work hard to match your
contribution. You haven't left yet, but it's been a pleasure and a
privilege (and I'd love the inside goss on where you are going
next/the next big idea (unless it involves ickyy things like making
babies - you can keep that stuff to yourself :) )) Hats off to you
man, keep up the good fight (in 6-18 months).

cheers
Lachlan

> adam
>
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> - --
>
>
> - --
> Adam Hyde
> Founder FLOSS Manuals
> Project Manager Booki
> Book Sprint Facilitator
> +49 01774935122
>
>
> Please note: I am not usually online on weekends unless facilitating a
> Book Sprint
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