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The central platform for community governance at diaspora* is our '''[https://discourse.diasporafoundation.org/ Discourse]'''. It is used for discussions on governance, process and technical topics.
The central platform for community governance at diaspora* is our group on '''[https://www.loomio.org/g/EseV9p4X/diaspora-community Loomio]'''. It is used for discussions on governance, process and technical topics, and it also functions as a voting tool, when decisions have to be made.


== Getting in ==
== Getting in ==


Simply [https://www.loomio.org/g/EseV9p4X/ask_to_join request membership]. Note that you need to request membership of each sub-group you want to participate in; a request to the main diaspora* group ''won't'' get you membership to any of the sub-groups.
Simply sign up!


== Using Loomio ==
== Using Discourse ==


We use Loomio to decide the directions for the project to take, in software development, in the structure of the organization running the project, in outreach, and in other matters. Loomio is particularly useful for dealing with complex matters, as they can be broken down into individual proposals, each of which can then be voted on.
We use Discourse to decide the directions for the project to take, in software development, in the structure of the organization running the project, in outreach, and in other matters.


Although Loomio can be useful for discussing features for the app, please don't use Loomio discussions as features wish-lists. In most cases, the reason that diaspora* doesn't have the features you want to see is because of a lack of developers to create them, or in some cases because other hurdles need to be overcome in the software before such a feature could be successfully implemented. Having a vote that 'we want feature X' won't make it happen any faster, and tends to detract from the useful discussions in Loomio.
Although Discourse can be useful for discussing features for the app, please don't use Discourse discussions as features wish-lists. In most cases, the reason that diaspora* doesn't have the features you want to see is because of a lack of developers to create them, or in some cases because other hurdles need to be overcome in the software before such a feature could be successfully implemented.


Before starting a discussion in Loomio, please check for existing discussions on the same topic. You can use the search facility in the header bar for this, but note that this facility only returns results from sub-groups of which you are a member. So it is worth also scanning the discussions lists in any sub-groups in which discussions on the topic might appear. For example, if you want to discuss something concerning federation, it would be worth looking in '''Federation Discussion''', '''Feature Proposals''' and '''Developer Proposals''' as well as using the search facility.
Before starting a discussion in Discourse, please check for existing discussions on the same topic. You can use the search facility in the header bar for this.


=== Subgroups and Teams ===
=== Categories ===


Our Loomio group is further divided in to subgroups and teams. This ensures that not everybody has to follow all the discussion and voting topics, as many community members are only interested on some specific area. We also have non-diaspora* folk for example discussing federated social networks as concept. Some subgroups serve as teams where the purpose of limiting membership to group is to keep decision making power to those who are members.
Our Discourse is divided into categories. This ensures that not everybody has to follow all the discussions, as many community members are only interested on some specific area. We also have non-diaspora* folk for example discussing federated social networks as concept.


All groups are and should be public for transparency.
All categories, except for ''Team Internal'', are and should be public for transparency.


===== Documentation Team =====
==== Announcements ====
The Documentation Team is dedicated to keeping our wiki updated, and at the same time, keep communication between podmins going. By sharing information and advice, we can improve the docs.
This category will be used for important announcements by the diaspora* core team.  
===== Feature Proposals =====
This group is specifically for proposing features, or modifying existing ones. Use this sub-group for specific proposals concerning new or existing features which will need group discussion before implementation. As stated above, please don't open discussions simply to request the features you want; Loomio is not the place for wish-lists.


===== Developer Proposals =====
==== Communication and Outreach ====
This group is not for feature proposals, so much as it is intended for proposals to improve the underlying platform.
A place for discussions regarding our communication with both contributors and users as well as outreach efforts.
===== Governance Proposals =====
Proposals for workflow and governance go here.
===== Federation Discussion =====
Working group for those interested in improving federation.
===== Outreach =====
This is the decision hub for the new social media team. We propose campaigns, forms of user engagement, and strategies to raise awareness about the things we value collectively as a project.


===== Packaging Team =====
==== Development ====
Group to discuss and plan packaging efforts for Linux distributions and other targets like app hosting platforms like Heroku.
For discussions regarding our development tools, methods and principles.
===== GitHub repository governance =====
Discussions and votes regarding the governance of the GitHub organization.


''Note:'' Membership to this group is restricted, it should only contain members who are a member of the [https://github.com/diaspora?tab=members diaspora* organization] in Github. This decision was made in [https://www.loomio.org/d/DtQNix6u/control-to-github-organisation?proposal=JeXmNdjq this proposal].
==== Features and Ideas ====
===== diasporafoundation.org Team =====
Feature suggestions as well as discussions on how to implement specific details.
Working group for the relaunch of diasporafoundation.org as a central starting point for the complete project and community overview.


=== Voting ===
==== Federation ====
The right place for discussions about the federation protocol and its implementations.


Everybody in the subgroup that the proposal takes place in has one vote. When you create a proposal please try to make sure it is in the correct subgroup. Senior community members can move the proposal to another subgroup if that subgroup is the correct place.
==== Governance ====
For anything related to the project management, asset management and related.


When voting there are four options:
==== Support ====
* '''Yes'''
Do you need help or do you have a question about diaspora* you don't know where to ask? This is the right place for community-driven support. There are sections for podmin support and developer support.
* '''No'''
* '''Abstain'''
* '''Block'''


A proposal is passed if there are more '''Yes''' votes than '''No''' and '''Block''' votes together. '''Abstain''' does not count either way. '''Block''' does not prevent the proposal from passing; [https://www.loomio.org/d/DGjvERsx/blocked-proposals?proposal=Wrow8KAk it is simply a strong message] that more discussion might be needed. Perhaps if your proposal is getting many block votes it would be better to discuss what are people's concerns about your proposal as worded, and consider an amended proposal after discussion has clarified these concerns.
==== Website, Documentation, and Discourse ====
The right category for discussions about our website, the diaspora* wiki and other places where we store information.


Note that a vote being passed is not necessarily a commitment to make it happen! It may be that it is simply not possible. See below.
==== Team Internal ====
 
This category is only visible for both diaspora* core team members as well as very active, reputable contributors to discuss things a bit more privately, if needed.  
=== Proposals ===
 
Follow these guidelines;
 
* Before creating a proposal it is a good idea to discuss it first by creating a discussion.
* Make it absolutely clear what you are proposing. People cannot vote on vague proposals!
* If the proposal includes technical details or long text, put it in the [[:Category:Proposals | proposals category in the wiki]] and link that page to the Loomio proposal.
* Do not create proposals on things that cannot be done. We don't need proposals on features that everybody wants but that need developers to do the code. Making a proposal about a feature will not get it done any faster. With this in mind, research whether your proposal is even going to be possible before creating a proposal. It's no good starting a proposal stating that '[https://www.loomio.org/d/6fYl90V8/welcome-and-introduction-to-loomio?proposal=incVAGsI We should have a holiday on the moon!]', because it's simply never going to happen!
* Make sure you have a sufficiently long time for voting, one week is a good generic timeslot for normal proposals. Larger issues or critical feature decisions could have longer times.


[[Category: Governance]]
[[Category: Governance]]
[[Category: Community]]
[[Category: Community]]

Latest revision as of 02:45, 15 October 2018

The central platform for community governance at diaspora* is our Discourse. It is used for discussions on governance, process and technical topics.

Getting in

Simply sign up!

Using Discourse

We use Discourse to decide the directions for the project to take, in software development, in the structure of the organization running the project, in outreach, and in other matters.

Although Discourse can be useful for discussing features for the app, please don't use Discourse discussions as features wish-lists. In most cases, the reason that diaspora* doesn't have the features you want to see is because of a lack of developers to create them, or in some cases because other hurdles need to be overcome in the software before such a feature could be successfully implemented.

Before starting a discussion in Discourse, please check for existing discussions on the same topic. You can use the search facility in the header bar for this.

Categories

Our Discourse is divided into categories. This ensures that not everybody has to follow all the discussions, as many community members are only interested on some specific area. We also have non-diaspora* folk for example discussing federated social networks as concept.

All categories, except for Team Internal, are and should be public for transparency.

Announcements

This category will be used for important announcements by the diaspora* core team.

Communication and Outreach

A place for discussions regarding our communication with both contributors and users as well as outreach efforts.

Development

For discussions regarding our development tools, methods and principles.

Features and Ideas

Feature suggestions as well as discussions on how to implement specific details.

Federation

The right place for discussions about the federation protocol and its implementations.

Governance

For anything related to the project management, asset management and related.

Support

Do you need help or do you have a question about diaspora* you don't know where to ask? This is the right place for community-driven support. There are sections for podmin support and developer support.

Website, Documentation, and Discourse

The right category for discussions about our website, the diaspora* wiki and other places where we store information.

Team Internal

This category is only visible for both diaspora* core team members as well as very active, reputable contributors to discuss things a bit more privately, if needed.