Re: OpenOffice.org Apache Incubator Proposal

On Wed, Jun 1, 2011 at 11:57, Christian Grobmeier <grobmeier@gmail.com>
wrote:
> Hello Luke,
>
> don't know if OpenOffice is an exception, but usually Proposals are done
here:
> http://wiki.apache.org/incubator/

There is no requirement to use the Wiki. I've attached the text of the .ODT
file in the message below.

Abstract


 OpenOffice.org is comprised of (6) personal productivity applications: word
processor, spreadsheet, presentation graphics, drawing, equation editor, and
database. OpenOffice.org supports Windows, Solaris, Linux and Macintosh
operation systems. OpenOffice.org is localized, supporting over 110
languages worldwide.
 Proposal


 OpenOffice.org will be contributed to Apache Software Foundation by Oracle
Corporation in compliance with ASF licensing and governance.


 This contribution will form the basis of the new OpenOffice project at
Apache.


 Background


 OpenOffice.org was launched as an open source project by Sun Microsystems
in June 2000. OpenOffice.org was originally developed by Star Division which
was acquired by Sun in 1999. OpenOffice.org is the leading alternative to
MS-Office available as an open source licensed offering. The source is
written in C++ and delivers language-neutral and scriptable functionality.
This source technology introduces the next-stage architecture, allowing use
of the suite elements as separate applications or as embedded components in
other applications. Numerous other features are also present including
XML-based file formats based on the vendor-neutral OpenDocument Format (ODF)
standard from OASIS and other resources.


 Rationale


 OpenOffice.org core development would continue at Apache following the
contribution by Oracle, in accordance with Apache bylaws and its usual open
development processes. Both Oracle and ASF agree that the OpenOffice.org
development community, previously fragmented, would re-unite under ASF to
ensure a stable and long term future for OpenOffice.org. ASF would enable
corporate, non-profit, and volunteer stakeholders to contribute code in a
collaborative fashion.


 Supporting tooling projects will accompany the OpenOffice.org contribution,
providing APIs for extending and customizing OpenOffice.org.


 Both OpenOffice.org and the related tooling projects support the OASIS Open
Document Format, and will attract an ecosystem of developers, ISVs and
Systems Integrators. ODF ensures the users of OpenOffice.org and related
solutions will own their document data, and be free to choose the
application or solution that best meets their requirements.


 The OpenOffice.org implementation will serve as a reference implementation
of the Open Document Format standard.



 Current Status


 This is a new project.


 Meritocracy


 The initial developers are very familiar with open source development, both
at Apache and elsewhere. Apache was chosen specifically because Oracle as
contributor, and IBM as Sponsor and the initial developers want to encourage
this style of development for the project. A diverse developer community is
regarded as necessary for a healthy, stable, long term OpenOffice.org
project.


 Community


 OpenOffice.org. seeks to further encourage developer and user communities
during incubation, beyond the existing developers currently working on the
project.


 Core Developers


 The initial set of committers include people from the community of
OpenOffice.org Technology projects. We have varying degrees of experience
with Apache-style open source development, ranging from none to ASF Members.


 Alignment


 The developers of OpenOffice.org will want to work with the Apache Software
Foundation specifically because Apache has proven to provide a strong
foundation and set of practices for developing standards-based
infrastructure and related components. Additionally, the project may evolve
to support cloud and mobile platforms from its starting point of desktop
operating systems.


 Known Risks


 Orphaned products


 OpenOffice.org is a mature project, with a set of APIs. It is continuing to
evolve.


 Inexperience with Open Source


 The initial developers include long-time open source developers, including
Apache Members.


 Homogenous Developers



   OpenOffice.org for many years was managed by Sun, who provided the
   majority of its engineering resources as well as its direction. Moving this
   project to Apache will enable a new start and provide a broad framework.


 Reliance on Salaried Developers


 The initial group of developers will be employed by IBM, Linux distribution
companies, and likely public sector agencies. Localization resources are
expected to gravitate to the new project, as well. Ensuring the long term
stability of OpenOffice.org is a major reason for establishing the project
at Apache.


 Relationships with Other Apache Products


 POI potentially, if POI extends to support ODF, the default file format of
OpenOffice.org.


 A Excessive Fascination with the Apache Brand


 We believe in the processes, systems, and framework Apache has put in
place.


 Documentation


 C <http://documentation.OpenOffice.org.org/>urrently available on
openoffice.org and archived.

Migration TBD.
 Initial Source

The initial source will consist of a collection of OpenOffice.org files.



 External Dependencies

None at this time


 Required Resources


 Developer and user mailing lists


 A subversion repository


 A JIRA issue tracker


 Download site


 Oracle will assist in the transition and migration from OpenOffice.org. All
of the content has already been archived and is ready for the ASF
infrastructure group to act on.


 Initial Committers

Andrew Rist ---Oracle

Rob Weir --- IBM



 Sponsors


 Sam Ruby, Geir Magnusson, Sally Khudairi



 Champion


 Sam Ruby, Apache Foundation


 Nominated Mentors


 Jim Jagielski --Apache



 Sponsoring Entity


 The Apache Incubator