Re: A plan for Gentoo

OK, subscribed to this list so I can reply :)

There are some things I agree with to some extent in William's post and
some I do not.

First, Seemant is a fantastic guy and Gentoo would benefit greatly from his
return. He was an incredible asset on the project.

I am happy to get more involved with Gentoo. I've actually been working
with several Gentoo devs on several development-related things and plan to
continue to do so informally.

I am NOT interested in merging the Funtoo and Gentoo projects, nor in
making Funtoo a beta version of Gentoo. Not good for Funtoo, nor Gentoo.
But again, I am happy to get more involved with Gentoo. Let
cross-pollination happen when it makes sense.

I do see some positive things happening with Gentoo -- one is the wiki,
which is really nice. So I don't necessarily agree with the doom and gloom
camp, although I know that there is quite a bit of chronic frustration with
the direction of the project or lack of it, and certainly I have shared
that opinion in the past.

I do think Gentoo could benefit from some positive energy and some
additional support for development. I would like to assist with this
effort.

I think we do need to reach out to Google, who seems to have a habit of
poaching our developers, and work out some kind of arrangement of
cooperation. The sum total of stuff I've received from Google has been a
prototype Chromebook, a $50 prepaid VISA card, and a google blanket. No, I
am not making this up. I know these items were sent to me with the
intention of saying thanks, and meant as the kindest of gestures -- but
certainly, there are better ways for us to support one another?

Google has received some nice technology from Gentoo. The google blanket is
nice and fluffy, but I would like to see Gentoo have a bit more ability to
positively engage with Google and other organizations -- this was the
vision of the original not-for-profit that I created -- building the future
with partners who value free software.

Best Regards,

Daniel

On Tue, Dec 5, 2017 at 5:20 PM, William L. Thomson Jr. <wlt-ml@o-sinc.com>
wrote:

> I have had various ideas for Gentoo spanning back to my time as a
> Trustee. I was working hard them to make them happen and was making
> great progress in short time. Sadly people got in the way. I have ZERO
> interest in partaking in this directly myself. I maybe a lowly grunt.
>
> These are my ideas alone. I have not discussed them with anyone other
> than briefly in IRC #gentoo-java. No one helped me come up with this.
> I have no agenda, or role for myself. None of this involves me.  I am
> just going to toss this idea and run. No further comments from me.
>
> In my opinion what needs to happen for Gentoo is it needs proper
> organization and long term leadership, period.
>
> Thus I propose the following.
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> ----------------------------------------------------
> - Bring back Daniel Robbins he becomes Benevolent Dictator For Life,
>   which he gave up when creating the foundation long ago. A new
>   position part of the new structure. I have spoken with Daniel briefly
>   publicly in #gentoo-java a few days ago. He is on board, no longer
>   bitter and free of other duties.
>
> - Council remains as is, and works with Daniel directly, each being
>   basically equal. Nothing changes with council, election, etc. Just
>   slight change in role. Permanent member in a sense, Daniel. But he
>   cannot vote with council. Just shares in technical guidance,
>   attends meetings, etc.
>
> - Foundation remains as is and also works with Daniel. Daniel serves as
>   like President of the foundation, with other officer positions being
>   filled per Daniel and Trustees appointment. Foundation spends money on
>   officer operations and other things to further Gentoo development and
>   community.
>
> - Trustees remain as advisers and stewards but are not responsible for
>   day to day. They are to guide and provide wisdom etc. One new Trustee
>   will be added for a life long term, as long as they see fit. Seemant
>   Kulleen. He played an integral role in the early years of Gentoo. He
>   has no idea I am proposing this, so I am throwing him under the bus.
>
> - Being 3 parts any two can overrule the 3rd. All work together with
>   Daniel serving as the head of both. With all three being directly
>   connected with Daniel facilitating such. No 2 cannot remove
>   Daniel, just overrule. If always overruled obviously would resign but
>   that is not the idea.
>
> - Funtoo becomes the Fedora of Gentoo. Experimental test ground where
>   radical new ideas are tested and then moved over to Gentoo. All
>   Gentoo devs immediate become Funtoo devs as well. Though not required
>   to do anything. No bothering with opt out etc. Just connecting the
>   two organizations and communities. Unite vs divide!!!!
>   (This may even go so far as to say Funtoo is unstable and Gentoo
>   become stable dropping the entire stable/unstable Gentoo concept.)
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> ----------------------------------------------------
>
> From there what is next is up the the Daniel, the Foundation, and
> Council. There is no further plan there. I have ideas but that is not
> for me to say. It is for the new structure to decide its own future.
>
> This will involve paid positions. Daniel will draw a salary, a
> reasonable amount to be agreed upon by Trustees and him. Before anyone
> goes crazy. Keep in mind he spent his own money to create the
> Foundation. Gentoo was his and he handed it over. I doubt most anyone
> would do the same. Most here will hardly give up their own roles...
> Gentoo's attorney for various things is Daniels attorney. He lives near
> the guy. Gentoo is still registered in New Mexico where only Daniel
> lives no other devs, etc.
>
> Also in most any country there were fore fathers/mothers. People who
> came before you are respected, have statues, etc. Like Daniel or not,
> he started Gentoo. He then handed it over and later started Funtoo. How
> many major distros have you started? Keep that in mind and show him
> some respect on that level if no others. Give him the benefit of the
> doubt, good intentions for all vs self motivated he benefits alone,
> everyone else loses out.
>
> Ideally this leads to things like bring back Gentoo Weekly News Letter,
> maybe with a bounty for articles so that is always well fed. Not to
> mention pay for editors. Grants for developer equipment, travel, etc.
> Working with vendors to get Gentoo certified on hardware and/or
> hardware to use for development etc. Things that need a legal
> representative and organization head. Just some ideas but there could
> be others. These may never happen, and others may who knows. Not for me
> to decide or say. Just some ideas.
>
> These are random thoughts of the good stuff. Of course lots of bad
> could happen. Though I really do not see how it can be any worse than
> the past almost decade now. Gentoo cannot survive another decade like
> the past. Hopefully wrong either way there. If Gentoo even remains in
> the US. Almost want to bet others seek to move it outside.
>
> Anyway that's my idea and plan. Do with it what you will. Having been
> involved and around I see good things really. If others will have an
> open mind and let others who care more about things you may now. Let
> their ideas play out.
>
> Daniel handed over Gentoo. He let the community play out their ideas.
> Why not be fair and let him have a turn again? I think things were
> going better back then...
>
> P.S.
> I barely know Daniel. We have never met or spoke directly on phone etc.
> We have had various interactions over the years. Starting with me doing
> research as a Trustee. Which developed to a mutual professional
> respect. I have not really ever worked with him much. We do not know
> each other well.
>
> I know even less about Seemant and few if any interactions much less
> publicly. These are not my buddies who will do anything for me if they
> return. These are just the right guys in my opinion.
>
> I myself as things have been and how I am seen and treated have no
> interest in returning. I may serve as a lowly grunt cranking out
> ebuilds and eclasses. Maybe lead Java direction but doubt I want to be
> team lead or a developer. I am a bit bitter from the last decade of
> mistreatment, public defamation, and being prevented from doing work.
> To limit the massive backlog which now is out of control with Java 9.
>
> Just disclosing I have no agenda once again. Nothing to do with me.
> Just an idea to save Gentoo and course correction. Every ship needs a
> captain. Two drivers never works :)
>
> --
> William L. Thomson Jr.
>
> --
> William L. Thomson Jr.
>