Ubuntu Wiki: SpreadUbuntu Project
Foreword: This post is not intended as a dig or personal attack on anyone. It is merely some output and observations based on first impressions. Also, I've yet to contact anyone directly so an update will be required at some point.
Today's Experience with the Ubuntu Wiki
Today started off well, I spent the morning coding on some personal projects and I was pleased with what I accomplished. Feeling great and full of bounce I decided to spend the afternoon getting to grips with the Ubuntu Wiki. Seeing as I'm currently trying to get more involved with Ubuntu community, I figured I spend an hour or two reading up on the Ubuntu team structure [research is always time well spent.]
Going through the various teams I decided that I'd join the Marketing Team [I have some background in this field], it's an open team and anyone can join via Launchpad. I then move back to the Wiki and start to research the various projects.
In the projects list I see SpreadUbuntu, its status is listed as "Divided into subprojects". I remember some discussion happening a while back about this in the Ubuntu forums and so I click through to the project page to check on its current status. I was disappointed with what I found. Needless to say, I didn't find any real indication of where the project is at in terms of development. The project came across as fragmented and chaotic.
So the next logical step, search the mailing list for discussions about the project. The list archives linked to on the Marketing Teams homepage doesn't have a search facility, so I wander off to Google and perform a site search on the list.ubuntu.com domain for the keywords, "spreadubuntu", "spread+ubuntu" etc.
I find one constructive and thoughtful message by Matthew Nuzum. I find nothing else of much substance [that's not to say it doesn't exist, only that I didn't manage to find it.] I look at the clock and notice my entire afternoon has disappeared! I give up for the day.
Not a Good First Impression, but Still has Great Potential
Today's activities have left me feeling somewhat tired and deflated. I'm sure this particular project is not indicative of the Ubuntu Wiki as a whole, well I hope not as it really hasn't left a very good first impression.
It makes me question what value the Ubuntu Wiki holds? Does it hold any, or is it a bureaucracy barrier — stopping projects from getting off the ground?
Having said that, I still feel that SpreadUbuntu is a project with great potential. And it's a real shame to see the project suffering from a serious case of scope creep.
Next Step
I'm still committed to Ubuntu and I feel this project is something I could get involved with. Next step, contact the project lead and contributors.
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