How does PSARC take input from non-project communities?

[James Carlson]

Darren.Reed at Sun.COM writes:
> For example, if the system administration group manifests
> itself into a proper community and then comes to OpenSolaris
> with some input on direction that potentially conflicts with
> the established direction, is there scope within the way in
> which PSARC functions to respond to that?

Yes.  They can (as many other do) file a fast-track or full case
describing the sort of changes they're proposing.  PSARC then becomes
a place to discuss them.

This is really no different than other groups (such as the Security
SWG) that don't implement projects, but instead offer lists of "rules"
that other projects must follow.  They need to get those established
as policies that the ARC will follow and will impose on projects, and
part of doing so is having them reviewed.

If it's a matter of coordination for a distribution, PSARC can
certainly help here (by providing consistent application of the
distributor's rules among projects delivering to a given
distribution), but if they don't participate (and they needn't do so),
then it's their problem to work out.  Distributors have the final say
on what they choose to distribute.

> Or to put it more simply, if the "userbase" doesn't like the
> architecture PSARC is pushing, how does PSARC respond?
> Does it require projects to act as a vehicle for that response?

I don't know that the question makes sense.

Projects come to PSARC for review.  It's an open forum.  Those who
don't agree with a given project's direction can express that opinion
here, and _if_ they're able to build consensus, then they can apply
requirements on the project or even cause it to be denied outright.

If they can't manage to build consensus, then they're not going to be
too effective.  I'd expect the appeal path (not yet defined, for what
it's worth) to be via the sponsoring community group and then the OGB.

> Or is the correct way to include communities such as this
> in the process to ask various projects proffered by other
> communities (such as SMF) to have the approval of the
> system administration community before approaching
> PSARC?  (as a further example.)

OpenSolaris projects already need to be sponsored by a community
group, and community groups can withdraw sponsorship (thus killing
projects).

At least in the current process, projects don't need OpenSolaris
sponsorship of any sort to approach PSARC.  Just file a case and say
what you're doing.

-- 
James Carlson, Solaris Networking              <james.d.carlson at sun.com>
Sun Microsystems / 1 Network Drive         71.232W   Vox +1 781 442 2084
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