[arc-discuss] ARC Community organization

[James Carlson]

Darren Reed writes:
> Some people file fast tracks on Monday/Tuesday and expect them
> to be approved on Wednesday if nobody sends any email for discussion
> or even set the timeout to be shorter than one week.

The existing (informal) rule is that if the fast-track is less than 24
hours old, we'll let the existing timer run.  The chair checks this
during ARC business and will note it when possible.  If someone else
notices that the case hasn't been out there long enough, speak up.

It's the responsibility of the person who sponsors the fast-track case
to make sure that it receives adequate review.  If someone
consistently fails to allow this to happen, then I think that'd be
something for the members to discuss with that person, and perhaps
even grounds to revoke sponsorship rights.

However, the ARC process is open, and it's the responsibility of
everyone interested in architecture to watch the cases being reviewed.
If you see one go by that you might be interested in, but can't review
or comment right away, then (a) request more time and (b) specify some
_reasonable_ date when you'll be able to provide comments.

> To me this expectation seems to be abuse of the PSARC meeting
> as a way to have fast tracks approved more quickly than they

I think this is a rather extreme accusation to be making.  I'd like
you to specify exactly *who* you think is abusing the system and when
and where this was done so that we can take corrective action.

> approval?  I understand that this might get in the way, from time to
> time, of an urgent change that needs to get in, but it is rare that
> such hasty engineering is actually good.

Both the submitter of the fast-track and the sponsor are on the hook
to make sure that the changes listed conform with the expectations of
a fast-track.  That means that they're "obvious" and
"non-controversial."  If they're anything else, then they should end
up derailed for a full review.

That doesn't mean, though, that cases can or should be delayed by
"comment trolls."  Off-topic discussions seem to happen with
disturbing regularity on the open ARC discussion list, but they have
nothing whatsoever to do with approval of the case under review.

-- 
James Carlson, Solaris Networking              <james.d.carlson at sun.com>
Sun Microsystems / 35 Network Drive        71.232W   Vox +1 781 442 2084
MS UBUR02-212 / Burlington MA 01803-2757   42.496N   Fax +1 781 442 1677