[Linux-aus] Re: Proposal: LA cooperation with Community Code

[Matthew Palmer]

On Sun, Mar 13, 2005 at 01:53:39PM +1000, Anthony Towns wrote:
> Matthew Palmer wrote:
> >I'm placing this proposal here on behalf of the members of the Community
> >Code mailing list, for discussion and general approval/disapproval by the
> >members and committee of Linux Australia.
> 
> Ugh, seems so complicated. From http://www.communitycode.org/ I see that 
> the government is involved, and suddenly understand.

Indeed.  If it weren't for the need of insurance coverage and "registered
non-profit organisation" status, we'd be out doing this now.  In fact, I'm
currently starting to mentor a couple of work-experience people.

> So, AIUI, Community Code intends to be an organisation to promote open 
> source development within the parameters of the "Mutual Obligation" 
> requirements for welfare. So a "Hack for the Dole" programme, basically.

That's one part, and it's the one that we need LA's support to do.

> The aim seems to be to provide mentoring and appropriate documentation, 
> with the goals of getting some neat software developed, and providing 
> the individuals involved with some documented experience they can then 
> use to get a real job.

Pretty much.  We'd also like them to get lots of exposure to both OSS and
OSS development methods, so when they get their real jobs, they'll be
inclined to advocate and use OSS in their work, due to familiarity, and
they'll also tend to encourage their companies to use OSS methods in their
own development.

> I assume there are already some people willing to work gratis as mentors?

Indeed.  Myself, Mary Gardiner, and Ken Foskey have all indicated a
willingness to mentor others. 
http://www.communitycode.org/wiki/moin.cgi/ListOfProjects has a partial list
of the projects people are looking to mentor people in.

> >Scope of Activities
> >CommunityCode intends to carry out the following activities:
> > * Programming, documenting, and otherwise working with FLOSS projects by
> > 	means of the Internet;
> > * Meetings between mentors and participants, and between mentors.
> >At present, we are willing to limit our activities to 15 Community
> >Code mentors and participants at a time.
> 
> The involvement of LA seems to be one of "seal of approval" so people 
> can rely on you not being a fly-by-night operation, and providing 
> insurance coverage.

The core needs are the insurance coverage.  Being part of an established
organisation for "legitimacy" is a bonus.

> Having a Community Code sub-ctte that reports to the LA exec seems the 
> way to go. I imagine we'd expect reports to be posted to linux-aus, and 
> the ctte chair to provide any clarifications that seem appropriate.
> 
> I imagine the Community Code sub-ctte might need occassional access to 
> legal advice through LA, but otherwise shouldn't need any additional 
> financial/organisational support for the forseeable future.
> 
> Is that what we're talking about here? It seems pretty reasonable to me, 
> once you get through all the wherefores and thithers...

That is the gist of it.

- Matt
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