Event details

On Being Free

von Jos Poortvliet (KDE)

Saturday, 12.06.2010, Berlin II, 12:00-13:00 Uhr

The KDE community has developed itself over the last few years as one of the most active, vibrant and exciting Free Software communities. This mostly volunteer-driven community is not afraid to tackle the hard problems in new and innovative ways. While a variety of corporate partners are involved, the KDE community has managed to keep its culture in tact and to stay in control - succeeding where several others have failed. This despite the fact that the community has grown dramatically over the last few years, to the point where over 2300 active developers have access to the source repository.

The goal of this talk is to dissect the reasons behind this - how has the KDE community managed to choose its own directions? Has it been a consious effort or is it by pure accident? Lately these questions have become more relevant as more and more enterpreneurs are starting up companies in and around the KDE ecosystem, and several large companies like Nokia are increasing their involvement. Meanwhile, some community members have voiced their concerns with the influence of commercial interests on the development. Where will this lead us? Could it harm the community?

These questions are now being discussed in the community. Jos Poortvliet has been part of this discussion, and will outline some of the results.

Shortly, some of the keypoints which have been identified (to date):

1. Strong focus on technology and cool things. Decisions are made on technical grounds, and nobody is afraid to speak up if someone tries to push things based on authority. This creates an atmosphere where companies have to work with the community - not the other way around.

2. Flat organization, little hierarchy. Basically, it ensures that no one individual, foundation, or corporation can dictate the future direction of KDE as a whole. As a result the project can grow more organically, and innovate.

3. Regular developer meetings. Creates stronger bonds, also between commercial and volunteer developers. Can help mitigate the effect of company meetings where things are decided without community input.

4. Meetings are funded by KDE e.V. Funding by the e.V. instead of specific sponsors per meeting allows more independence of corporate sponsors when it comes to goal setting and justifying the results.

5. The role of KDE e.V. is strictly supportive. Companies have no business controlling the KDE e.V. - it wouldn't help them as the e.V. is not involved with development decisions.

6. The KDE community consists of many sub communities. This keeps the hierarchy flat and teams small. Those teams are relatively independent but do work together occasionally and are of course part of the wider KDE community.

7. Having to deal with Qt licensing. The Qt licensing issues early on in the KDE history have made the community consious of corporate influence.

Über den Autor Jos Poortvliet:

Jos Poortvliet is a leading member of the KDE marketing team and has been promoting KDE at conferences and in writing since 2002. He is also involved in recruiting new contributors, handling press, writing announcements and keeping in touch with corporate contacts of the KDE community. He is an organizational psychologist by profession, lives in the Netherlands and works for the Dutch govermental department for education.