>>Then maybe a bit of info around massimo being the BDFL (python/linux, >> benevolent dictator for life) being out there might work. As said before, >> seems very much like a perception problem rather than something that will be >> solved via some sort of company or group running things rather than a single >> person.
I am going to clarify my opinion, not to be argumentative but in hope that it can be helpful. I do not think that it's a "perception problem". I think the concern that web2py being a one-man show is very real. You can't deny the fact that Massimo is at the forefront of every facet of web2py (PR, documentation, coding, user interaction, etc.) Now, we have to be thankful to Massimo for all of the energy and passion put into this. And maybe, without other people filling in the roles, he'll have to do it. But one can't deny the fact that this is very real. Linux, Python, ... don't have this problem. Linus' role, I think, is quite minimal (but important). But we shouldn't talk about and implicitly compare web2py to these big projects as it's not fair. The point is like you put every software, databases, etc. of your company into one big, powerful, reliable server. Yes, there's an advantage. But it's also a valid source of concern: one server. Personally, I, and I think many people here, don't have problem with this set up. But I think big companies justifiably do. I would like to see web2py becomes matured in a similar model as Drupal, at lease with a PR manager, a release manager, a documentation manager, and a newbie-assistance manager, together with a platform that attracts developers and encourages contribution. Massimo's role should be in developing and setting visions. This is what Dries (Drupal's founder) does. He gives visions for upcoming versions of Drupal. And this is really something that attracts the "big guys" from the industry. Imagine Massimo declares, for example, web2py 2.x will heavily support on mobile computing, cloud computing, etc. Then, I'll predict that people, developers and companies with vested interests in these areas will jump in. In summary, the big guys care about not just where things are now, but also where things will be. They care about not being left in the cold, if Massimo decides to move to Hawaii and retires early. They care about where web2py is moving to.
