Purposeful Code Project
This is my first widespread request to review a new idea that's possessing me.
During the last 14 months, I went through nearly every ringer in an effort to start my previous endeavor, WattMonkey. Everyone backed it philosophically. I spoke with over 100 people about the former project. More than 15 folks suggested that I purchase their services for a combined sum of more than $70K.
My new idea solves the former problem, and 100s of others.
Take a look at my first, very rough draft of the Purposeful Code Project ... http://memesist.com/2009/11/01/pc/
Will it float? or is it a witch?
J
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I guess my first question in
I guess my first question in reading this is why? What need in the community is this attempting to fill.
From a strictly open source point of view, a lot of the projects goals are handled by Source Forge and other open source hosting sites.
I don't see anything compellingly different about PCP.
Source Forge does not provide any of the management that apparently PCP is going to do, but I am not sure this is a benefit. For one thing, a really good way to kill a volunteer project is to assign incompatible volunteers to it. In a job, employees that don't like each other get along in order to get a paycheck. In a volunteer organization, no such pressure will exist.
It is hinted at in a couple of places, but I do not see where the PCP project will work with the community to find projects to work on. Maybe this is not the intention? I think it would be helpful if there where groups in the PCP whose task where to find projects. This frees me, a would be developer, from having to find a problem and it's target audience. If this is part of the idea, then it needs to be emphasized more. (It is the difference between working for a charity that builds houses, and working for a charity that doesn't really know what it is going to be doing. I can't possibly build a house for someone, but I can work with an organization that does know. They build a house by giving individuals like me clear goals. By contrast an organization that does not know how to help, is probably still not going to know how to help after I arrive.)
Your response is tempering,
Your response is tempering, as in as in the forging process, as in adding substance.
My PCP post was knowingly rough and accidentally ambiguous.It's a first draft with a few edits. Your response is what I was hoping for, requests to clarify.
I am gonna try to answer your questions with a real example.
Project Name: Mobile Solar Tool
Concept: A simple tool, delivered through selected mobile operating systems (ie. RIM, Android, iPhone OS), that provides basic calculations and data to photovoltaic (solar) installation professionals.
Basic Project Requirement: It needs to be available to someone who is working on a roof.
Version 1 Goal: Tool will enable the following inputs and outputs
INPUT: User enters zip code. Phone gathers user's GPS data.
OUTPUT: Solar Mobile Tool provides 1. geographical data (pressure, elevation, latitude, longitude), 2. solar insolation data for various solar installs (fixed, 1 axis, 2 axis, concentrating collectors), 3.average climatic conditions
Reference Stuff (Tools that do something similar): 1. iPhone application "Solar Checker", 2.
Data Derivation: There is a single, standard, federal data source that provides output above (if user gives input).
Now, back to your questions.
Why? Your opening paragraphs asks "why" and "why not". My interpretation is that you want to know how PCP differs from SourceForge.net. PCP will provide guidance and services to help teams develop purposeful applications that solve worldly problems. SourgeForce "provides free services that help people build cool stuff and share it with a global audience".
I understand you points in the 3rd paragraph. My understanding is based on experience. I have ruined volunteer projects. But my mistake was due to higher expectations and wrong assumptions. I asked too much. Regarding team cohesion or compatibility of individuals ... I think this occurs for reasons other than money (I agree with your point though). I think teams stick together if there is a 1. courageous, trusted leader, 2. an obtainable goal or a bonding concept, 3. people that believe in 1 and 2. (I am under Godin's "Tribes" influence). Many of the groups (teams, tribes, clubs, associations, etc) that I belong to don't pay me for nothing. I think the best way to kill a meaningful endeavor is to force folks who wouldn't otherwise be compatible, to work together around an idea that they don't fully believe in.
In response to your final point:
1. PCP's role, in part, is to identify, prioritize and define purposeful coding projects. I may have added this after you read the post. Regardless, you are right. Generally, PCP should account for a spectrum of talent. I think the operating principle is to let folks do what they are good at. Or, let the folks that love to write BRDs, write them. Let the folks who love to code solutions to well thought out ideas, code them. If someone wants to assist in the identification of projects, and they are adept in doing it, PCP oughtta be in a position to support. 2. Regarding the "house building" example. I advocate for clear Role definition in just about everything I do in life, from family to business. We contribute more abundantly when we know what we are supposed to do. When we don't know our role, we slow stuff down.
I plan to put my response to your questions on the wordpress blog. At a certain point, if the seed continues to grow, I plan to develop a flat (one dimensional, static, just html and forms) website that lists a few projects and seeks volunteers. If that takes, then ...