OLPC/SL relationship

[Bernie Innocenti]

[dropping olpc-sysadmin@ from the cc list, updating the topic]

Samuel Klein wrote:
>> I was speaking of larger communication issues.
> 
> Great.  Can we resolve them by providing more and more regular (and
> more public!) information?  Communication issues are rarely fixed by
> throwing pies.

Announcing what OLPC is planning to do from time to time would be a
first step in the right direction.  Discussing these plans with the
community on devel@ would be even more appreciated.

Since when we started the G1G1 last year, OLPC became less and less
inclined in discussing potentially embarrassing topics with the
community in public lists. With many customers and deployments all
over the world, there are understandable concerns about legal
liability and potential impact on the public image.

Well, I guess it's the necessary price one pays in order to grow a
healthy and useful community around the project.  You thought me that,
remember? :-)


>> Two week ago you said that a statement would be forthcoming about the
>> relationship between Sugar Labs and OLPC.
> 
> What do you expect in such a statement?  What is the relationship in your words?
> 
> I don't know what Ed had in mind, but I'd like to see more and more
> casual discussions of this on all sides.

I keep meeting people who see the Sugar Labs effort as some kind of
competitor to OLPC, or even a *fork*.  And these are probably a small
fraction who have been outspoken enough to say it.

Our respective goals are distinct, but not necessarily incompatible.
There's a lot of overlap that would make our long term relationship
worthwhile in spite of the past.

Walter Bender and Chuck Kane agreed to work together since before
Sugar Labs was established. And many SL people also happen to be OLPC
people, and vice-versa... so there is _already_ some kind of
collaboration going on at some levels.

What's needed at this point, IMHO, is a clear, open statement from
OLPC that we're *really* committed to work together.  Not merge, nor
marry... but work together on the thing we both need: Sugar.

Or maybe just say: NEVER, GET LOST!!! ;-)


> We should all be talking together, no relays necessary.   Some of
> these planning updates are on my plate, and I will get back with more
> news tonight.  What are Sugar Labs' plans for Fudcon?  Providing more
> public information on all sides will help everone, more than the
> tastiest food fight.

We apparently discussed it for a while, but I still didn't get around
to catch up with my email.  All I know for sure is that this time I'll
just sit back and enjoy the conference as a guest. ;-)

-- 
   // Bernie Innocenti - http://www.codewiz.org/
 \X/  Sugar Labs       - http://www.sugarlabs.org/