CommunicationChannels

2007-08-01T06:09:26Z

Jmanson: /* Jabber */

Communication is key for the success of any team effort, and in
open source projects, written communication is critical for success.
Briefly I'd like to explain the different communication channels we
have, in case some are unfamiliar with them.

=== Jabber ===

Chat is a convenient, immediate, and free-form way of exchanging
information, and we make heavy use of it. For fun we decided to try out
Jabber and liked it enough that we've continued to use it. Details
about getting started with it are on the website. (A link to the details would be nice.)

We'd like to know if people would prefer IRC, though. If enough people
cannot or do not wish to use Jabber, then we should switch to IRC.
Please speak up if you have an opinion on this.

If you have a good discussion in chat that you think others might be
interested in, consider sending a copy of the log to the mailing list.

=== IRC (Internet Relay Chat) ===

Use your favorite irc capable chat client to connect to:
irc.freenode.net
And
/join #inkscape
This is an unofficial discussion location, until sanctioned.

=== Email Lists ===

Email is preferred for information that needs wider visibility, such as
things that will require discussion in preparation for making
decisions. The mailing lists are also archived, so new developers can
review past discussions to get up to speed.

If you see or write a good email on a topic that people will wish to
refer to longer in the future, consider pasting a copy of it into Wiki,
so that it'll be easier for people to find and maintain later.

* [http://lists.sourceforge.net/mailman/listinfo/inkscape-announce inkscape-announce] - Announcements about Inkscape, its plugins, events, etc. (low volume)
* [http://lists.sourceforge.net/mailman/listinfo/inkscape-devel inkscape-devel] - This is the main development discussion list
* [http://lists.sourceforge.net/mailman/listinfo/inkscape-tracker inkscape-tracker] - All bug / feature / patch posts to the SF tracker get sent here
* [http://lists.sourceforge.net/mailman/listinfo/inkscape-cvs inkscape-cvs] - All cvs commit messages get sent here (high volume)

=== Wiki ===

Wiki is the new discussion medium we're introducing. A Wiki is a
website that can be edited and added to by anyone. It's like a virtual
whiteboard, and that's how we want to use it. It's good for gaining
wide visibility and it's more persistent than email (no having to browse
through archives).

Wiki's are great for capturing info quickly and semi-permanently, and
for writing collaboratively. This makes them perfect for brainstorming
and hashing out plans, designs, floating proposals, etc.

Wiki's can get a bit chaotic over time, and for people with only a quick
interest in the project they can be too much effort to search through
for "official" information. So, if a page in Wiki becomes 'official'
enough that it needs higher visibility and/or more formality, consider
turning it into a proper web page.

=== Website ===

OUTDATED INFORMATION. WE NOW USE "SVN" INSTEAD OF "CVS" AS OUR VERSION CONTROL SYSTEM.

The website is simple flat HTML files, using SSI to put the header and
footer on. It's stored in the CVS module inkscape_web. Anyone with CVS
commit permissions can and is encouraged to make changes to the
website.

Changes to the website are posted to the inkscape-cvs@ mailing list.

Each communication medium has its strengths and weaknesses. If we are
all good about using them appropriately, and promoting information
from one to the next where beneficial, it will give Inkscape a great
communication infrastructure. Miscommunication is a leading cause of
trouble in projects, so it is well worth our effort to work to prevent
them from occurring.

[[Category:About Inkscape]]

Inkscape Wiki - User contributions [en]

CommunicationChannels