- Inkscape Board of Directors

Inkscape Board/Committee Nominations
by Josh Andler 12 Sep '12

12 Sep '12

Hello Developers, I am recycling Aaron Spike's email from the last time we went through this. As many of you know, Inkscape is a member organization of the Software Freedom Conservancy ( http://sfconservancy.org/ ) and that we have a board. The board/committee consists of Josh Andler, Jon Cruz, Ted Gould, Bryce Harrington, Nathan Hurst, MenTaLguY and Aaron Spike. Bryce Harrington currently serves as the Representative (the official board representative on behalf of Inkscape to the SFC). Dr. Hurst had previously resigned his position on the board and Aaron has done so more recently. Therefore we must elect new committee members to fill the open spots. I will be collecting nominations through the weekend (ending Sunday, September 16th unless there is great desire for an extension to the nomination period). Anyone listed in the AUTHORS file (as of September 10, 2012) may make a nomination. Anyone listed in the AUTHORS file (as of September 10, 2012) may be nominated. Nominees are free to refuse nomination. Just as a heads up, if you use a pseudonym, you will have to sign the agreement with your legal name (not that this information gets released to the public). Note: The dates related to the AUTHORS file are to avoid anyone trying to get in at the last second, and they will always adjust with future nomination periods. Typically the board votes on things such as project fund expenditures (travel, conferences, marketing materials for events, etc), trademark related issues (a topic currently be worked on), other legal issues that arise, etc. Our hope is that by refreshing the board, that we'll be better suited to give better guidance on items and hopefully be more effective at supporting the Inkscape project and our community as a result. As specified in Section 6 or our charter we maintain a committee of seven project members. Section 6 reads as follows: "6. Representation of the Project in the Conservancy. The Developers, each a signatory hereto, shall represent the Project in its official communication with the Conservancy. There shall be seven Developers (together, the "Committee"), elected by the community members of the Project listed in the Project's AUTHORS file (the "Community Members"). Each Developer shall continue to serve until he or she resigns from the position. The Developers may be removed from the position at any time by a majority vote of the Community Members. Upon the resignation or removal of a Developer, the Community Members shall elect a replacement Developer to serve on the Committee. The Committee will elect a single individual to communicate with the Conservancy (the "Representative") and shall notify the Conservancy promptly following the election of a new Representative. The Representative will have the authority to instruct the Conservancy on the Project's behalf on all matters. This section may be modified by a vote of at least 3/4 of the Community Members, with the consent of the Conservancy, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld." The election itself will take place from the 17th through the 23rd. The process will be voting for your top two choices (all votes carry equal weight) and the two names with the most votes will be elected. Thank you to everyone for your participation. Cheers, Josh P.S. I have uploaded a redacted copy of the full Charter at: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/21152971/InkscapeSponsorshipAgreement-redacted.pdf (modified only for privacy reasons). We will get something more official in place soon.

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Fwd: Re: Trademark policy final decisions
by Josh Andler 29 Aug '12

29 Aug '12

>From mental... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "MenTaLguY" <mentalguy@...23...> Date: Aug 29, 2012 12:24 AM Subject: Re: [Inkscape-board] Trademark policy final decisions To: "Josh Andler" <scislac@...23...> Hm. I concur with Ted and Bryce on these points. On Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 12:15 AM, Josh Andler <scislac@...23...> wrote: > Another one... > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Josh Andler <scislac@...23...> > Date: Mon, Jul 9, 2012 at 2:56 PM > Subject: Re: [Inkscape-board] Trademark policy final decisions > To: Bryce Harrington <bryce@...24...> > Cc: Ted Gould <ted@...1...>, Inkscape Board List > <inkscape-board(a)lists.sourceforge.net> > > > +1 on all of Ted's answers, I feel the same. > > On Mon, Jul 9, 2012 at 2:30 PM, Bryce Harrington <bryce@...24...> > wrote: > > On Mon, Jul 09, 2012 at 04:20:09PM -0500, Ted Gould wrote: > >> Hey folks, > >> > >> So we've almost got a trademark policy. To finish it, we need an answer > >> to a few questions: > >> > >> Should it say "Free and Open Source Software" or just "Open > >> Source" ? > >> > >> Do we want to allow the name in other products? For instance if > >> there was an "Inkscape Gradient Snagger" would that be okay as > >> another product? > >> > >> Do we want to restrict use of the logo to unmodified versions? > >> This would be things like showing half of it, or perhaps > >> different gradients to match a particular style. > >> > >> Do we want to allow merchandise with the Inkscape logo on it? > >> T-shirts, stickers, etc. > >> > >> Now my answers :-) > >> > >> I think "Free and Open Source" is best. I hate the debate, but > >> it is what we're doing. > >> > >> I think that using the name in other products is fine as long as > >> they don't cause confusion, which is covered explicitly in other > >> sections, so I'm cool with it. > >> > >> I like the idea of people being creative with our logo, so I'm > >> for not having any restrictions there. > >> > >> I'm okay with other people making Inkscape merchandise. I think > >> we should encourage them to give back, but not have any > >> requirement to do so. > >> > >> Any other opinions? > > > > Agreed with Ted on #1 and #4. > > > > Don't really have an opinion on #2 and #3; what Ted proposed sounds fine. > > > > So, +1 for Ted's proposal. > > > > Bryce > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Live Security Virtual Conference > > Exclusive live event will cover all the ways today's security and > > threat landscape has changed and how IT managers can respond. Discussions > > will include endpoint security, mobile security and the latest in malware > > threats. http://www.accelacomm.com/jaw/sfrnl04242012/114/50122263/ > > _______________________________________________ > > Inkscape-board mailing list > > Inkscape-board(a)lists.sourceforge.net > > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/inkscape-board >

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Sponsorship for Tav for the formerly named SVG Open conference
by Josh Andler 16 Aug '12

16 Aug '12

Hey all, I'm asking on behalf of Tavmjong Bah for funding for him to be able to attend "The Graphical Web" (used to be SVG Open) conference, the partial cost of hotel coverage, and the cost of a train ride to attend the W3 meeting taking place afterwards. Here is a summary from him describing everything... "I am asking for support to attend the SVG Working Group meeting being held after the Graphical Web conference (formerly SVG Open) in Zurich. Topics that I will push at the meeting include mesh gradients, marker clipping, marker color matching stroke color, extrapolated join style, screening filter primitive, hatchings, and flowed text. Some of these items have been discussed on my blog at: http://tavmjong.free.fr/blog/ I can also present any other issues that Inkscapers feel are important. The Working Group meeting will be held at a mountain hotel near Lucerne. I am asking for $680 ($80 for train fare, 4 nights at $150 per night for the hotel). The hotel will actually be more than I am requesting but the extra will be covered by the organizers of the conference if they have a surplus (otherwise I will cover the difference). My attendance at the conference will be supported by the conference organizers. The SVG Working Group has been very receptive to my input informed by my work on Inkscape as it represents a unique viewpoint (in a group dominated by browser vendors)." I will outright say I support it and that Tav is our sole influence within the SVG WG and also contributes the code to help us back him up on what our users want... Mesh gradients for example. One "Aye" vote on funding... others? Cheers, Josh

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Trademark policy final decisions
by Ted Gould 09 Jul '12

09 Jul '12

Hey folks, So we've almost got a trademark policy. To finish it, we need an answer to a few questions: Should it say "Free and Open Source Software" or just "Open Source" ? Do we want to allow the name in other products? For instance if there was an "Inkscape Gradient Snagger" would that be okay as another product? Do we want to restrict use of the logo to unmodified versions? This would be things like showing half of it, or perhaps different gradients to match a particular style. Do we want to allow merchandise with the Inkscape logo on it? T-shirts, stickers, etc. Now my answers :-) I think "Free and Open Source" is best. I hate the debate, but it is what we're doing. I think that using the name in other products is fine as long as they don't cause confusion, which is covered explicitly in other sections, so I'm cool with it. I like the idea of people being creative with our logo, so I'm for not having any restrictions there. I'm okay with other people making Inkscape merchandise. I think we should encourage them to give back, but not have any requirement to do so. Any other opinions? --Ted

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Licensing
by Josh Andler 29 Jun '12

29 Jun '12

Hey All, At the moment, our licensing in trunk is more of a mess than it ever has been (to my knowledge). Primarily, we have some GPL3 code that has crept in over time, as far back as a year ago. I figured I would bring it up here first so we can see if there is a consensus on contacting the SFC (and/or possibly the SFLC). We can't release a new version with the licensing as it stands (not that it has been holding up a possible release at this point). So, I think we need to take the plunge and discuss with counsel how to remedy our situation. Also, we may want to discuss doing the "dirty" thing and go the route of copyright assignment moving forward to help prevent this situation again (not my idea, but one I don't disagree with). This will require a substantial amount of someone's time (as I see it, at the least trying to contact everyone who has contributed previously), but I'm willing to make this my last set of acts on the board before I step down. I was originally planning on holding off for a month and a half until after some vacation time, but, it just needs to get moving sooner rather than later imho. I'm seeking relevant discussion and a vote to escalate this to the SFC to see if they feel confident enough to take this on. As a tertiary item, once we are well informed, I'm also asking potential permission for use of the foundation's funds for legal services if the costs are within reason and the board agrees that it is an appropriate use of the money. Obviously I'm an "Aye" on taking it to the SFC. Cheers, Josh

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Permission to use Inkscape trademark for promotional stickers?
by Máirín Duffy 19 Jun '12

19 Jun '12

Hi Inkscape Board, I was directed to this list by the #inkscape IRC channel. The Red Hat Summit is next week and we're looking to give out (gratis) some stickers to promote free software & culture at the conference. We would love to use the Inkscape logo on one of the stickers. I've attached a comp of the sticker sheet so you can understand the context the logo would be used in. Would this usage of the Inkscape logo be okay? If not, are there modifications we could make to make it usable? Thank you so much, ~m

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Re: [Inkscape-board] Please decide if Inkscape will give mentors option of taking payment for the SoC 2011.
by Bryce Harrington 15 Feb '12

15 Feb '12

On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 10:47:22AM -0800, Bradley M. Kuhn wrote: > Ted Gould wrote at 19:19 (PST) on Monday: > > Don't know if it's needed, but I'll throw in a +1 on both as well. > > So, Bryce, I'd appreciate if you can tell me, as Representative, if the > discussion on this is done and the Inkscape Committee now approves to > pay mentors who want to be paid for SoC 2011? Yes, I think we've gathered sufficient feedback to consider this done, and approve payment of mentors that desire it. Thanks, Bryce

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Stepping down
by Josh Andler 14 Feb '12

14 Feb '12

Hey Bradley & fellow board members, Both Aaron and I are looking to step down from our positions on the board but are unsure of what the process for this is. For me, I would just like to others the opportunity to take part and it's a piece of my reducing involvement in the project to avoid burn out (I've gotten pretty close lately). What is the process to make it official and how does the board go about nominating new members? I have a few people I'd recommend (as I've mentioned in the past) if it is of interest to you all. Cheers, Josh

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Re: [Inkscape-board] Please decide if Inkscape will give mentors option of taking payment for the SoC 2011.
by Nathan Hurst 14 Feb '12

14 Feb '12

On Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 04:36:10PM -0500, Bradley M. Kuhn wrote: > >> 0. Will Inkscape offer to pay a stipend to the mentors who mentored > >> students in Summer of Code 2011? > Bryce Harrington wrote at 20:52 (EST) on Thursday: > > > I think our unofficial policy has been that mentors have first dibs on > > the money, but can gift it back to (i.e. leave it with) Inkscape at > > their discretion. They did the work to earn it, they should have the > > say over its disposition. > > Yes, that's been how it was handled in the past. > > > Despite that, early on all the mentors all pretty much just let Inkscape > > keep the funds, so there wasn't a question of paying it out. > > It's been mixed in previous years -- some were paid out, some weren't. > > > Does anyone feel more that the money should go directly into the > > Inkscape fund, and only paid to mentors on a case-by-case basis? > > Ok, while you do say below that you're still the Rep (sorry for > misremembering) I can take instruction from you about what to do, but I > presume that statement above is you polling everyone else... in which > case, I am going to wait to tell me the polling is done and you've > decided. I support Bryce's position. > >> 1. If the answer to (0) is yes, what is the maximum amount will be paid > >> to each mentor? > > > > It would be the maximum amount from Google ($500) less any fees. > > > > Does anyone else feel that the amount should be something different? > > Same here. $500 works for me. njh

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Re: [Inkscape-board] Please decide if Inkscape will give mentors option of taking payment for the SoC 2011.
by Bryce Harrington 10 Feb '12

10 Feb '12

On Wed, Feb 08, 2012 at 05:46:16PM -0500, Bradley M. Kuhn wrote: > Inkscape Committee, I was going to hold off on comment until others had a chance to speak, but since no one has replied yet guess I'll start. > > Bryce Harrington wrote on 2011-12-05: > >> Still, it feels kinda weird to be essentially floating a loan for > >> Google. > > I wrote on 2011-12-06: > > That's actually a separate issue entirely. In other words: "whether > > or not to pay stipends to mentors" vs. "when to pay". > ... > > It will take Google time to pay, but Google will pay. And, as I said, > > this is a "when" question. The "if" question should be answered > > separately, IMO. > > The funds from Google for SoC 2011 have arrived. Therefore, the > discussion of whether or not we'll "float" Google can fully be dropped > since it's moot now. I'm guessing this issue might come up in the future? If so, perhaps this committee should still come up with a decision on how to handle this situation. Others have commented already they don't see a problem with this. I stated my reservation but don't have strong feelings and can support the group consensus here. Does anyone else have reservations? > However, we still need an answer to these questions: > > 0. Will Inkscape offer to pay a stipend to the mentors who mentored > students in Summer of Code 2011? I think our unofficial policy has been that mentors have first dibs on the money, but can gift it back to (i.e. leave it with) Inkscape at their discretion. They did the work to earn it, they should have the say over its disposition. Despite that, early on all the mentors all pretty much just let Inkscape keep the funds, so there wasn't a question of paying it out. However, given that the Inkscape project really hasn't made much use of the cash, it sounds like lately mentors are becoming more interested in having the money to put to use themselves. Does anyone feel more that the money should go directly into the Inkscape fund, and only paid to mentors on a case-by-case basis? > 1. If the answer to (0) is yes, what is the maximum amount will be paid > to each mentor? It would be the maximum amount from Google ($500) less any fees. Does anyone else feel that the amount should be something different? > Once I have answers to these two questions from the Inkscape Committee, > I can take care of the rest. > > Below is some context from the discussion we had back in December about > this. Please note that now that the SoC 2012 is open, it might be very > good to get this settled right away. > > > I should also note that I don't currently have record who the official > "representative" of the Inkscape Committee is to Conservancy. Who is > that? Whoever it is needs to be the person to tell me officially the > answers to the questions above. I believe that would be me. I haven't been very involved in Inkscape day to day matters though since I started my current job, but then I think the other committee members are in similar situations, so maybe that's not a big deal. I'm happy to continue in the role, but if any committee members feel it's time for a new rep, I'm also fine with passing the baton. Bryce > >> That's likely one reason why mentors prefer to keep the $500 rather > >> than give it back. > > > So, as I mentioned it before, it's not accurate to say "give it back". > > To be abundantly clear, the money belongs to Inkscape as a project, > > and Inkscape can chose what to do with it. Inkscape has in the past > > chosen to give the mentors a choice to take the money or leave it with > > Inkscape. > > > > On Mon, Dec 5, 2011 at 1:14 PM, Nathan Hurst <njh@...19...> wrote: > >>> > As a mentor from previous years I would like to say that the > >>> > time(s) ... when I've been paid the money was very much > >>> > appreciated. I'm not convinced the money going to the inkscape > >>> > kitty has much direct value for the project - mentors put in a lot > >>> > of work for the $500 which in turn leads to successful SoCs which > >>> > lead to a) better inkscape and b) a higher chance of continued > >>> > involvement from the student and the mentor. We're not paying > >>> > oncosts or a mortgage, so sitting on cash doesn't really make > >>> > sense, it is better to spend it while it still has value. > > >> I wish we were making better use of the cash. Nathan's right that > >> it's silly for it to just sit in the bank not helping the project. > > > So, one thing worth noting is that the number $500/mentor is just what > > Google's giving to Inkscape. If Inkscape feels the mentors are > > particularly valuable, then giving more is possible. For example, > > there's plenty of funds available to Inkscape and you could chose to > > give $750/mentor, knowing that $500 will be covered by Google. > > -- > Bradley M. Kuhn, Executive Director, Software Freedom Conservancy

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