Re: [PDO] PDO 2: Request for Comments

Lukas Kahwe Smith wrote:
> But what if people who would otherwise be regular contributors are not 
> signing?
There does not appear to be a large supply of such people, judging from 
past contributions to PDO.

There *are* people among the RDBMS vendors who wish to contribute, but 
my understanding is that most of them prefer the contribution process to 
include a CLA, so that it's clear that all IP in the project is 
unencumbered and is free for use.

>
>> > (especially since there are items in there like #7,
>> > which put a perpetual burden on the contributor).
>>
> The way its worded it makes it clear that this IF applies eternally 
> and the clause would not make any sense if its not aimed at the 
> future, because there are already clauses that cover what you are 
> aware of at the time of contribution. Since there is no time limit 
> expressly mentioned, I guess its eternal. If this is not the 
> intention, then please clarify that point in the CLA.
Aha.  I agree with this, and I retract my previous comment.  Yes, it is 
a clause that has no time limit.

However, is this clause such a problem?  If you find out that you 
inadvertently contributed some code improperly, then let the PHP Group 
know.  They might want to remove that contribution so the project 
doesn't violate anyone's IP rights.  Seems like in a case like that, it 
*should* be your obligation as a contributor to notify the project, as 
well as the professional and courteous thing to do.
>
> I have seen plenty of company's leave projects. I have seen plenty of 
> companies ship buggy crap. Whats your point? My point was that I value 
> contributions that are done solely out of what your manager tells you 
> to do today as less reliable as that of people who more or less choose 
> to do the work on their own.
My point is that we can't make generalizations that vendor contributors 
are any more or any less dedicated or high-quality than the heartfelt 
souls who do it in their spare time.  Therefore I don't value one any 
more or any less than the other.

I do think that all other things being equal, I assume a contributor 
from a vendor has the best expertise and the most accurate and 
up-to-date knowledge about their own technology, more time to dedicate 
to the task, and an interest in creating a complete solution.

> I am just trying to make it clear that company involvement is not to 
> be considered the holy grail of ever lasting high level support. ... 
> Again my point is to refute the argument that having commercial 
> vendors involved will somehow future proof on going development.
Granted.  But speaking practically, there are contributors among the 
RDBMS vendors who are ready to contribute, now.  A bird in the hand is 
worth two in the bush.  :-)

Regards,
Bill Karwin