Introduction

World Domination

 - Quote from Linus Torvalds, when he first asked for help in building
   Linux.

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Notes:

  - Figures for growth of Linux

  - A student just learning computing.

    - Now works full time on Linux, in a non-profit mainly targeted at
      promoting his baby.

    - Linux now at the centre of the business strategy of IBM, Sun,
      Nokia, Sony etc.

  - Without the internet, it would have remained the hobby project of
    a student.

  - The talk will cover the mechanisms through which Torvalds and
    others have built up such effective communities. It will centre on
    the community we know best - that of Python and PyPy.

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Talk Structure

  - Introduction

    - Free / Open Source Software.

    - Python programming language.

    - Elements of typical F/OSS development.

  - View from the Trenches

    - Typical Python development.

    - PyPy - building a better Python.

    - A F/OSS community and the EU.

  - Agile Programming Practices

    - Best practice in software engineering.

    - Agile methods and the typical F/OSS project.

    - Agile methods and PyPy - sprints.

  - Discussion

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Notes:

  - Handouts

  - Weblinks for further information.

  - Contacts.

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Free and Open Source Software

  - Four freedoms

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Notes:

  - The two communities and the F/OSS acronym (also FLOSS).

    - Python has elements of both communities.

    - Some Python developers also produce proprietary source code.

  - One man projects are just as free and open source as big ones, but
    the openness supports cooperative development.

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What is Python? 

  - Executable pseudo-code. Example.

  - Guido van Rossum - Benevolent Dictator for Life (BDFL).

  - The typical Pythonista.

  - Not the most popular F/OSS language, but has many dedicated fans:

    - Google.

    - Tim Berners Lee - plane flight coding projects.

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Notes:

  - Python is a general purpose language. PyPy will remove barriers to
    its take-up in some sectors.

  - GvR - started in academic environment, in Netherlands, then US.

  - Currently, most people working with Python do so out of
    choice. This is reflected in the nature of the
    community. Popularity may change this.

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Python Principles - What Shapes the Community

  - Priorities and principle - Gabriel "Worse is better"

  - Python principles - highlight the interesting ones.

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Notes:

  - Almost all programmers value the same set of principles, but
    priorities are everything.

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F/OSS Community Practices

  - Mailing list - no email, no community.

  - Source code management - read / write access.

  - Bug / feature request tracking.

  - Newsgroups, forums - users and developers.

  - Web page:

    - About, News

    - Download - often stable and development branches

    - Support - Documentation, FAQ, Wiki.

    - Related projects.

  - IRC - chat.

  - Developer weblogs.

  - Newsletters.

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Notes:

  - Role of Sourceforge - and moves from Sourceforge:

    - Central point of failure.

  - CVS to SVN.

  - Declining role of USENET.

  - Formal documentation spotty - forums and IRC can provide excellent
    support. This can be a deciding factor in choosing software.

  - Related projects - friendly rivalry. Much reusing of ideas and
    some code.

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F/OSS Community Practices - Formal Structure

  - Sub-communities in larger projects - special interest groups.

  - Regular meetings and conferences.

  - Non-proft organisations:

    - Organise meetings and marketing.

    - Hold copyright.

    - Parallel to technical structure.

  - Semi-formal decision processes:

    - Python PEPS - proposed changes in the language and development.

    - BDFLs and the art of saying "no".

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Notes:

  - Meritocracy.

  - Ability to fork.

  - Tensions between large commercial developers and outsiders.