This case explores a GNUe insider’s review of the procedures and practices for developing GNUe documentation. Figure 5 captures the sequence and configuration of relations among the observed variables identified in Section 7 and referenced in the data presentation.
Figure 5 – A Schematic Summary of Relations Among Observed Variables in Case Two
In this case, chillywilly, an insider to the GNUe community, causes a stir by demanding an explanation for the use of lyx, which requires a download of non-free software to be operable.
Chillywilly initiates the debate by asking fellow contributors on the IRC:
“lyx requires non-free software... should that be acceptable for a GNU project? (Strong BIFS-5).
His colleagues respond with comments regarding their development infrastructure that for some includes Windows 98. Chillywilly continues his tirade over the course of three days eliciting support to replace the documentation tool with something that is based solely on free software. On the IRC and later on the mailing list, chillywilly refers to RMS, the founder of the Free Software Movement, as a reason for refusing to install lyx with its required non-free software. His IRC comment shows the reverence placed on RMS as the cultural leader:
“I will NOT install lyx and make vrms unhappy (Support for FSF leader – RMS-1).”
He more explicitly states this in the email:
“I mean if I cannot make vrms happy on my debian system then what good am I as a Free Software developer? (Support for FSF leader – RMS-2)”
The debate becomes quite heated between chillywilly and Jcater, a core maintainer. Jcater responds to chillywilly’s email with an apology to contributors for how the IRC conversation got out of hand:
“I would like to personally apologize to the discussion list for the childish email you recently received. It stemmed from a conversation in IRC that quickly got out of hand. (IRC facilitates debate-1.”
Later Jcater mentions what his motivation is in creating free software:
“For me, my motivation to be here is a free future for my son (Belief in Freedom-2).”
This persistent recording and recitation of motivations and beliefs reinforces the organizational cultural beliefs and values. While not all agree with chillywilly’s strong position, some do side with him:
“ I think having to use lyx is wrong for a GNU project (Strong BIFS-7).”
However, people like amitch are willing to use non-free software to continue to make progress on the GNUe “free” software development.
The issue is resolved by chillywilly dropping it after many contributors harangue him for wasting valuable time on what they consider to be a relevant, but temporary issue. Once free software is available for documentation, the GNUe team plans to use it. So chillywilly is finally mollified and no longer brings it up on the IRC or mailing list. As in case one, an outcome of the discussion is a reinforcement of the belief in free software. The amount of time to resolve the conflict in case two is longer than in case one - three days instead of one. There is no change to the documentation procedure as a result of the conflict (in contrast to case one where the Website graphic was changed). The value in cooperative work and value in community is evident in these exchanges. The conflict is mitigated and resolved over the IRC while building community at the same time.
Share with your friends: |
