Hi Jose Jose Vasconcellos wrote: > Hello to fellow OpenWrt developers! > > I would like to start a discussion on how to improve OpenWrt. > Part of the problem is that I don't fully understand OpenWrt > as an organization. What are its goals? >
OpenWrt is described as a Linux distribution for embedded devices..... (ok. It was a kind of joke, but this is actually the goal of OpenWrt; to develop a Linux based embedded system for both final solutions and development) > It's clear that OpenWrt consists of a core group of developers; > I've gather this because they have write priviledges to svn. You could also have looked at: https://dev.openwrt.org/wiki/people > What's not obvious is how other developers can help. I think > a set of guidelines that's needs to be developed to define how > contributions are handled. I think transparency is key to > success. OpenWrt is in a lot of ways completely transparent, which again somehow makes it somewhat of a "blackbox". There is not much more than what you can see in the various irc channels, forum or the repository - this can be so obvious that is simply wipes the transparency away, due to people try to look for "more" (something like a big rationality or a grand master plan/organization). The development process is based on direct participation - people who are not (yet) acknowledged as being OpenWrt developers (with write access to svn) should submit patches either on the devel-list or directly in Trac. It is also a reality that it helps more than a little to be active/participate on irc #openwrt-devel. Submitted patches are evaluated, or looked at, by the current dev's - and respons depends on factual things like relevance to current individual interests, general applicability, quality of code etc. A non-respons should not be understood in terms of a rejection, instead the submitter/author should take a second look at the patch again, follow the debates around the subject closely (how does this patch relate to the bigger picture) and finally re-submit if needed. Another approach would be to work on a patch and then discuss the subject with one of the relevant developers on irc #openwrt-devel (good questions are always highly appriciated). When it comes to the point of becoming a dev (acquirering direct access to svn and having ones name on the official list) it is also quite simple: One day the current dev's will just decide that there is no reason to continue with having to add patches for someone who's more than able to handle/do it him/herself - and then a svn account will be setup. A metaphorical explanation; a dev in-the-becoming has to show willingness to work, sweat and participate in the re-productive life of OpenWrt. > > Of course, OpenWrt is not a commercial venture with deadlines > and deliverables. But some kind of formal organization needs > to be setup for the long term viability of the project. The interesting aspect here is that OpenWrt actually has been quite viable and performing well _without_ a formal organization. If you have been following some or the recent discussions on this list you will see/read that OpenWrt is in the process of changing its status towards becoming a non-profit entity. This is not done with the intention of introducing a vertical structure with an elected board and so forth. Instead the focus is on legal aspects and the betterment of supporting OpenWrt. The current group of dev's are not planning to instigate major changes in the un-organized ways of OpenWrt, then there are significant values in the existing model. I hope this was at least parts of an answer to you questions? Chz -- Gregers Petersen People-stuff, layer 8 and anthropology glp on irc _______ ________ __ | |.-----.-----.-----.| | | |.----.| |_ | - || _ | -__| || | | || _|| _| |_______|| __|_____|__|__||________||__| |____| |__| W I R E L E S S F R E E D O M KAMIKAZE (bleeding edge) ----------------------- * 10 oz Vodka Shake well with ice and strain * 10 oz Triple sec mixture into 10 shot glasses. * 10 oz lime juice Salute! --------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ openwrt-devel mailing list openwrt-devel@lists.openwrt.org http://lists.openwrt.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/openwrt-devel
