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NM process reasons



I was asked by one of my applicants why Debian is unlike other OSS
projects, requiring an identification and philosophy check, etc.  I
explained to him the reasons as I see them, but I think it would be a
good idea to put them on the front page of the NM corner
(http://www.debian.org/devel/join/newmaint), immediately after the
"Contents" section.  Something like (only in sketch form today):

Why does Debian require the NM process?

- developers have to be trusted: root on lots of boxes, no automatic
  peer review or checking of uploads, etc.
- developers much more independent than in a "single piece of
  software" project
- so big mistakes or malice are in general much more serious than in a
  small OSS project
- so Debian needs to attempt to ensure that potential developers are
  competent and identifiable -> accountable.

   Julian

-- 
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

  Julian Gilbey, Dept of Maths, QMW, Univ. of London. J.D.Gilbey@qmw.ac.uk
        Debian GNU/Linux Developer,  see http://www.debian.org/~jdg
  Donate free food to the world's hungry: see http://www.thehungersite.com/



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