Hey,
So this is probably the most difficult post in the thread to try to reply to because its relitigating history that I wasn’t around for and it speaks to problems that are non-technical or even really policy in nature. I can’t authentically offer you much in the way of meaningful atonement or absolution that is going to make you feel better at this point. And I need to be more cautious here with how I respond because you’ve shown some vulnerability in your disappointing in your attempts to be an active contributor to the project… and that vulnerability needs to be respected.
First let me just make a speculation, if I had been an active Fedora contributor during that period, even as an external community member, I would have probably engaged with you because I too find the flatpak technology really interesting. I’ve read your linked blog, and while I don’t think its fruitful for me to engage in constructive criticism of your historic thoughts in this moment, just know I’ve read them and you’ve been heard. Unfortunately I wasn’t here and we didn’t connect at a time when I could have hopefully positively impacted your enthusiasm. I can’t apologize for that, because life happens and I was doing my own different things for a while.
Your contributor journey wasn’t my journey, and my journey ended last time with me needing to step away because I literally couldn’t contribute any longer due to life. And when I stepped away I made it a point to step fully away and to not get embroiled in the politics of the project that for several years was very important to me. It was tough to do, but it was the right decision, because it let me let go and care about the things in my life I did have time for without feeling regret or frustration about where the project was going without my involvement. I don’t know if that helps you to know that or not. But it was the right decision for me. But I’m back now and the years away give me a very different perspective than the perspective of the people who stayed through the years.
What I can say that I as a previous contributor from the earlier days, I can sympathize with your frustration with your experience. It wasn’t my journey, but I can sympathize. I’m not sure I have policy ideas yet that would speak to your specific frustrations that would help the next community member who ends up feeling this way when they are trying to get involved and feel unseen.
But if I were going to try to say something, do something, it would have to come in the shape of re-envisioning what SIGs are and what the do and how we expect them to operate and give them a mission in cultivating their own membership and hold them to account in some way ensuring that are growing contributors in a sustainable manner. This is an area I think multiple people are trying to wrap their heads around.
If you would grant me some license to re-interpret what you’ve tried to express here in my own evolving thoughts about SIG health…I think part of the problem here is there was a mismatch in expectations around the ceremony of being or becoming a SIG member and what the means in terms of having a voice. It seems to me like you felt you needed to be invited to join as recognition, whereas in my now ancient experience, SIGs really didn’t work that way at the start.. you just added yourself. The SIGS that I remember started as working groups of self-interested people and then maybe, eventually they figured out a governance model at some point..maybe..if they needed it.
Like I said I don’t have much in the way of solutions to the problems. As you said the majority Fedora contribution seems to be working reasonably well. But when SIGs are unhealthy its frustrating. It’s something I’ve already identify that needs work.