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Posted to kato-dev@incubator.apache.org by Stuart Monteith <st...@stoo.me.uk> on 2009/09/10 16:39:06 UTC

First Release, tutorial

Hi,
    It turns out that of our submissions to ApacheConUS 2009, one was 
accepted. Oddly enough, it was a tutorial rather than a presentation.
Here are the details:
    http://us.apachecon.com/c/acus2009/speakers/282

Before such a thing occurs there should be a release of some sort of our 
project's code.

I was wondering what people (esp. mentors)  thought about that. The code 
itself would be like an alpha release.  This would hopefully encourage 
discussion and early adoption, and possible participation.

The steps I think would should take towards a release would include:
    o Writing documentation
    o Improving the website  - it's difficult to ascertain what we are 
offering. The binaries would be linkable from here.
    o Establishing on this mailing list our current state.

There is a release process drafted here: 
http://incubator.apache.org/guides/releasemanagement.html , but I'm not 
sure how achievable all of that is at this stage of the project.

I'll be very interested in what everyone's thoughts are.


Thanks,
    Stuart

-- 
Stuart Monteith
http://blog.stoo.me.uk/


Re: First Release, tutorial

Posted by Stuart Monteith <st...@stoo.me.uk>.
Hello all,
    I've just faxed a trainer's agreement for the tutorial. After much 
discussion
as persuasion, we've decided to go ahead and do the tutorial.

There is a lot of work to do in the meantime, but we should be able to 
produce a
tutorial that will be of value.

No doubt we'll be using Mark and the Harmony peeps as guinea pigs :-)


Regards,
    Stuart


Mark Hindess wrote:
> In message <4A...@stoo.me.uk>, Stuart Monteith writes:
>   
>> Thanks for your encouraging reply Robert.
>> I've scattered by replies through yours below.
>>
>> Thanks again,
>>     Stuart
>>
>> Robert Burrell Donkin wrote:
>>     
>>> (this email is just personal opinions with my mentor hat removed)
>>>
>>> On Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 12:06 PM, Steve Poole <sp...@googlemail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>       
>>>>  
>>>> I'd vote for not doing it Stuart, your on the hook as you're down
>>>> as the tutor.  Perhaps we can go for the next ApacheCon?
>>>>     
>>>>         
>>> perhaps but i'd recommend thinking hard before turning this one
>>> down...
>>>
>>> ApacheCon is a great experience, and offers a great chance to learn
>>> and network. this one is the 10th birthday bash and is going to be
>>> very special indeed. if the tutorial offers a way to attend that you
>>> wouldn't otherwise have then you may well later regret turning the
>>> offer down.
>>>       
>> My concern is that what we have is immature and has never been used in
>> anger. While what we are doing may be interesting, it isn't something
>> to be used in production. Therefore I don't believe that it would be
>> fair to the paying attendees to do the tutorial just yet.
>>     
>
> If was on the hook for it, I think I'd also share your concerns.
> However, I agree with Robert about thinking hard before turning this one
> down.
>
> Since I'm only a cubicle away perhaps you could give me[0] a tutorial.
> I'd certainly be very interested anyway and I'll tell you if I'd have
> been happy paying for it or not.  This might help ascertain if you have
> a chance get something ready for ApacheCon or not.
>
> Regards,
>  Mark.
>
> [0] Some of the other members of the Harmony team would probably be interested
>     too.
>
>
>   

-- 
Stuart Monteith
http://blog.stoo.me.uk/


Re: First Release, tutorial

Posted by Mark Hindess <ma...@googlemail.com>.
In message <4A...@stoo.me.uk>, Stuart Monteith writes:
>
> Thanks for your encouraging reply Robert.
> I've scattered by replies through yours below.
> 
> Thanks again,
>     Stuart
> 
> Robert Burrell Donkin wrote:
> > (this email is just personal opinions with my mentor hat removed)
> >
> > On Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 12:06 PM, Steve Poole <sp...@googlemail.com>
> > wrote:
> > >  
> > > I'd vote for not doing it Stuart, your on the hook as you're down
> > > as the tutor.  Perhaps we can go for the next ApacheCon?
> > >     
> >
> > perhaps but i'd recommend thinking hard before turning this one
> > down...
> >
> > ApacheCon is a great experience, and offers a great chance to learn
> > and network. this one is the 10th birthday bash and is going to be
> > very special indeed. if the tutorial offers a way to attend that you
> > wouldn't otherwise have then you may well later regret turning the
> > offer down.
>
> My concern is that what we have is immature and has never been used in
> anger. While what we are doing may be interesting, it isn't something
> to be used in production. Therefore I don't believe that it would be
> fair to the paying attendees to do the tutorial just yet.

If was on the hook for it, I think I'd also share your concerns.
However, I agree with Robert about thinking hard before turning this one
down.

Since I'm only a cubicle away perhaps you could give me[0] a tutorial.
I'd certainly be very interested anyway and I'll tell you if I'd have
been happy paying for it or not.  This might help ascertain if you have
a chance get something ready for ApacheCon or not.

Regards,
 Mark.

[0] Some of the other members of the Harmony team would probably be interested
    too.



Re: First Release, tutorial

Posted by Stuart Monteith <st...@stoo.me.uk>.
Thanks for your encouraging reply Robert.
I've scattered by replies through yours below.

Thanks again,
    Stuart

Robert Burrell Donkin wrote:
> (this email is just personal opinions with my mentor hat removed)
>
> On Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 12:06 PM, Steve Poole <sp...@googlemail.com> wrote:
>   
>> I'd vote for not doing it Stuart, your on the hook as you're down as the
>> tutor.    Perhaps we can go for the next ApacheCon?
>>     
>
> perhaps but i'd recommend thinking hard before turning this one down...
>
> ApacheCon is a great experience, and offers a great chance to learn
> and network. this one is the 10th birthday bash and is going to be
> very special indeed. if the tutorial offers a way to attend that you
> wouldn't otherwise have then you may well later regret turning the
> offer down.
>
>   
My concern is that what we have is immature and has never been used in 
anger. While what we
are doing may be interesting, it isn't something to be used in 
production. Therefore I don't believe
that it would be fair to the paying attendees to do the tutorial just yet.
>> On Fri, Sep 11, 2009 at 3:17 PM, Stuart Monteith <st...@stoo.me.uk> wrote:
>>
>>     
>>> +1
>>>
>>> I also think it's too early. There is no sign on the mailing list of people
>>> trying out what we have already - I'd like more insight from community
>>> members
>>> before taking it to a tutorial.
>>>       
>
> perhaps it might be worthwhile talking to an old hand who regularly
> does tutorials at ApacheCon.  want me to try to set something up?
>
>   
We'd like to do a tutorial at some point, so that may still be useful.

>>> Steve Poole wrote:
>>>
>>>       
>>>> On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 5:39 PM, Stuart Monteith <st...@stoo.me.uk>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>         
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>  It turns out that of our submissions to ApacheConUS 2009, one was
>>>>> accepted. Oddly enough, it was a tutorial rather than a presentation.
>>>>> Here are the details:
>>>>>  http://us.apachecon.com/c/acus2009/speakers/282
>>>>>
>>>>> Before such a thing occurs there should be a release of some sort of our
>>>>> project's code.
>>>>>
>>>>> I was wondering what people (esp. mentors)  thought about that. The code
>>>>> itself would be like an alpha release.  This would hopefully encourage
>>>>> discussion and early adoption, and possible participation.
>>>>>           
>
> release often, release early :-)
>
> i don't know the code but IMHO it's worthwhile thinking about whether
> 'alpha' is really the best description
>
> for example, IMHO
>
> * kato-1.0-alpha implies that 1.0 is pretty much done but the code
> hasn't had the real life testing required to be sure that the quality
> is there. once an alpha is shipped, i would expect the code to be
> stable, with just bug fixes until a 1.0
> * kato-0.1 implies that kato is short of features and is not mature as
> an API but that the code quality is reasonable as far as it goes
> * kato-M1 implies that kato is immature and under very active
> development but that this milestone offers an island of stability
>
>   
That last option is the most promising, I'll follow up with what I think 
we should do.

>>>>> The steps I think would should take towards a release would include:
>>>>>  o Writing documentation
>>>>>           
>
> documentation is essential when developing a user base. IMHO if aiming
> for a 0.1 or an M1, minimal documentation would be ok.
>
>   
Agreed. Documentation is like some things. Even what it's bad, it's been 
that having none at all.
>>>>>  o Improving the website  - it's difficult to ascertain what we are
>>>>> offering. The binaries would be linkable from here.
>>>>>           
>
> got to have something to offer first ;-)
>
> IMHO users tend to want a binary to play. so, i'd probably wait until
> kato has some sort of binary available before improving the website.
>
>   
Ok.
>>>>>  o Establishing on this mailing list our current state.
>>>>>
>>>>> There is a release process drafted here:
>>>>> http://incubator.apache.org/guides/releasemanagement.html , but I'm not
>>>>> sure how achievable all of that is at this stage of the project.
>>>>>           
>
> it's usually easier to cut a release whilst a project is young and
> simple: the longer it's left, the more work it usually turns out to
> be.
>
>   
Sure, I can see how it'll take a few goes even to get it right, and once 
we've got a stable process the delta between
releases should be smaller.
>>>>> I'll be very interested in what everyone's thoughts are.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> One question I have is what is the expectation on tutorials at
>>>>>           
>>>> ApacheCon?    I'm sure we can create the necessary material but I worry
>>>> about offering a tutorial for something as early in its life as Kato.
>>>>         
>
> a tutorial is long, hands-on small-group training session paid for by
> those attending
>
> judging from the pitch
> (http://us.apachecon.com/c/acus2009/sessions/397) i would expect an
> expert session heavy on JSR326 and practical experiences with kato as
> the tool being used for the problem solving. for a tutorial practical
> as described, kato doesn't need to be finished just useful as a
> practical problem solving tool.
>
> - robert
>   
That sounds close to what I had in mind. I think we are somewhat lacking in practical experiences and problem solving - I'd like for more experience with what we have. Unfortunately the potential for adversely affecting JVMs is somewhat high.


-- 
Stuart Monteith
http://blog.stoo.me.uk/


Re: First Release, tutorial

Posted by Stuart Monteith <st...@stoo.me.uk>.
Hi,
    I've been notified that the tutorial has been cancelled. We ought to 
keep
an eye on ApacheCon Europe 2010. We should have a number of releases 
under our
belt by then and should have more experiences to pass on.

Regards,
    Stuart

Robert Burrell Donkin wrote:
> (this email is just personal opinions with my mentor hat removed)
>
> On Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 12:06 PM, Steve Poole <sp...@googlemail.com> wrote:
>   
>> I'd vote for not doing it Stuart, your on the hook as you're down as the
>> tutor.    Perhaps we can go for the next ApacheCon?
>>     
>
> perhaps but i'd recommend thinking hard before turning this one down...
>
> ApacheCon is a great experience, and offers a great chance to learn
> and network. this one is the 10th birthday bash and is going to be
> very special indeed. if the tutorial offers a way to attend that you
> wouldn't otherwise have then you may well later regret turning the
> offer down.
>
>   
>> On Fri, Sep 11, 2009 at 3:17 PM, Stuart Monteith <st...@stoo.me.uk> wrote:
>>
>>     
>>> +1
>>>
>>> I also think it's too early. There is no sign on the mailing list of people
>>> trying out what we have already - I'd like more insight from community
>>> members
>>> before taking it to a tutorial.
>>>       
>
> perhaps it might be worthwhile talking to an old hand who regularly
> does tutorials at ApacheCon.  want me to try to set something up?
>
>   
>>> Steve Poole wrote:
>>>
>>>       
>>>> On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 5:39 PM, Stuart Monteith <st...@stoo.me.uk>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>         
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>  It turns out that of our submissions to ApacheConUS 2009, one was
>>>>> accepted. Oddly enough, it was a tutorial rather than a presentation.
>>>>> Here are the details:
>>>>>  http://us.apachecon.com/c/acus2009/speakers/282
>>>>>
>>>>> Before such a thing occurs there should be a release of some sort of our
>>>>> project's code.
>>>>>
>>>>> I was wondering what people (esp. mentors)  thought about that. The code
>>>>> itself would be like an alpha release.  This would hopefully encourage
>>>>> discussion and early adoption, and possible participation.
>>>>>           
>
> release often, release early :-)
>
> i don't know the code but IMHO it's worthwhile thinking about whether
> 'alpha' is really the best description
>
> for example, IMHO
>
> * kato-1.0-alpha implies that 1.0 is pretty much done but the code
> hasn't had the real life testing required to be sure that the quality
> is there. once an alpha is shipped, i would expect the code to be
> stable, with just bug fixes until a 1.0
> * kato-0.1 implies that kato is short of features and is not mature as
> an API but that the code quality is reasonable as far as it goes
> * kato-M1 implies that kato is immature and under very active
> development but that this milestone offers an island of stability
>
>   
>>>>> The steps I think would should take towards a release would include:
>>>>>  o Writing documentation
>>>>>           
>
> documentation is essential when developing a user base. IMHO if aiming
> for a 0.1 or an M1, minimal documentation would be ok.
>
>   
>>>>>  o Improving the website  - it's difficult to ascertain what we are
>>>>> offering. The binaries would be linkable from here.
>>>>>           
>
> got to have something to offer first ;-)
>
> IMHO users tend to want a binary to play. so, i'd probably wait until
> kato has some sort of binary available before improving the website.
>
>   
>>>>>  o Establishing on this mailing list our current state.
>>>>>
>>>>> There is a release process drafted here:
>>>>> http://incubator.apache.org/guides/releasemanagement.html , but I'm not
>>>>> sure how achievable all of that is at this stage of the project.
>>>>>           
>
> it's usually easier to cut a release whilst a project is young and
> simple: the longer it's left, the more work it usually turns out to
> be.
>
>   
>>>>> I'll be very interested in what everyone's thoughts are.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> One question I have is what is the expectation on tutorials at
>>>>>           
>>>> ApacheCon?    I'm sure we can create the necessary material but I worry
>>>> about offering a tutorial for something as early in its life as Kato.
>>>>         
>
> a tutorial is long, hands-on small-group training session paid for by
> those attending
>
> judging from the pitch
> (http://us.apachecon.com/c/acus2009/sessions/397) i would expect an
> expert session heavy on JSR326 and practical experiences with kato as
> the tool being used for the problem solving. for a tutorial practical
> as described, kato doesn't need to be finished just useful as a
> practical problem solving tool.
>
> - robert
>   

-- 
Stuart Monteith
http://blog.stoo.me.uk/


Re: First Release, tutorial

Posted by Robert Burrell Donkin <ro...@gmail.com>.
(this email is just personal opinions with my mentor hat removed)

On Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 12:06 PM, Steve Poole <sp...@googlemail.com> wrote:
> I'd vote for not doing it Stuart, your on the hook as you're down as the
> tutor.    Perhaps we can go for the next ApacheCon?

perhaps but i'd recommend thinking hard before turning this one down...

ApacheCon is a great experience, and offers a great chance to learn
and network. this one is the 10th birthday bash and is going to be
very special indeed. if the tutorial offers a way to attend that you
wouldn't otherwise have then you may well later regret turning the
offer down.

> On Fri, Sep 11, 2009 at 3:17 PM, Stuart Monteith <st...@stoo.me.uk> wrote:
>
>> +1
>>
>> I also think it's too early. There is no sign on the mailing list of people
>> trying out what we have already - I'd like more insight from community
>> members
>> before taking it to a tutorial.

perhaps it might be worthwhile talking to an old hand who regularly
does tutorials at ApacheCon.  want me to try to set something up?

>> Steve Poole wrote:
>>
>>> On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 5:39 PM, Stuart Monteith <st...@stoo.me.uk>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>>  It turns out that of our submissions to ApacheConUS 2009, one was
>>>> accepted. Oddly enough, it was a tutorial rather than a presentation.
>>>> Here are the details:
>>>>  http://us.apachecon.com/c/acus2009/speakers/282
>>>>
>>>> Before such a thing occurs there should be a release of some sort of our
>>>> project's code.
>>>>
>>>> I was wondering what people (esp. mentors)  thought about that. The code
>>>> itself would be like an alpha release.  This would hopefully encourage
>>>> discussion and early adoption, and possible participation.

release often, release early :-)

i don't know the code but IMHO it's worthwhile thinking about whether
'alpha' is really the best description

for example, IMHO

* kato-1.0-alpha implies that 1.0 is pretty much done but the code
hasn't had the real life testing required to be sure that the quality
is there. once an alpha is shipped, i would expect the code to be
stable, with just bug fixes until a 1.0
* kato-0.1 implies that kato is short of features and is not mature as
an API but that the code quality is reasonable as far as it goes
* kato-M1 implies that kato is immature and under very active
development but that this milestone offers an island of stability

>>>> The steps I think would should take towards a release would include:
>>>>  o Writing documentation

documentation is essential when developing a user base. IMHO if aiming
for a 0.1 or an M1, minimal documentation would be ok.

>>>>  o Improving the website  - it's difficult to ascertain what we are
>>>> offering. The binaries would be linkable from here.

got to have something to offer first ;-)

IMHO users tend to want a binary to play. so, i'd probably wait until
kato has some sort of binary available before improving the website.

>>>>  o Establishing on this mailing list our current state.
>>>>
>>>> There is a release process drafted here:
>>>> http://incubator.apache.org/guides/releasemanagement.html , but I'm not
>>>> sure how achievable all of that is at this stage of the project.

it's usually easier to cut a release whilst a project is young and
simple: the longer it's left, the more work it usually turns out to
be.

>>>> I'll be very interested in what everyone's thoughts are.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> One question I have is what is the expectation on tutorials at
>>> ApacheCon?    I'm sure we can create the necessary material but I worry
>>> about offering a tutorial for something as early in its life as Kato.

a tutorial is long, hands-on small-group training session paid for by
those attending

judging from the pitch
(http://us.apachecon.com/c/acus2009/sessions/397) i would expect an
expert session heavy on JSR326 and practical experiences with kato as
the tool being used for the problem solving. for a tutorial practical
as described, kato doesn't need to be finished just useful as a
practical problem solving tool.

- robert

Re: First Release, tutorial

Posted by Steve Poole <sp...@googlemail.com>.
I'd vote for not doing it Stuart, your on the hook as you're down as the
tutor.    Perhaps we can go for the next ApacheCon?


On Fri, Sep 11, 2009 at 3:17 PM, Stuart Monteith <st...@stoo.me.uk> wrote:

> +1
>
> I also think it's too early. There is no sign on the mailing list of people
> trying out what we have already - I'd like more insight from community
> members
> before taking it to a tutorial.
>
>
> Steve Poole wrote:
>
>> On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 5:39 PM, Stuart Monteith <st...@stoo.me.uk>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>> Hi,
>>>  It turns out that of our submissions to ApacheConUS 2009, one was
>>> accepted. Oddly enough, it was a tutorial rather than a presentation.
>>> Here are the details:
>>>  http://us.apachecon.com/c/acus2009/speakers/282
>>>
>>> Before such a thing occurs there should be a release of some sort of our
>>> project's code.
>>>
>>> I was wondering what people (esp. mentors)  thought about that. The code
>>> itself would be like an alpha release.  This would hopefully encourage
>>> discussion and early adoption, and possible participation.
>>>
>>> The steps I think would should take towards a release would include:
>>>  o Writing documentation
>>>  o Improving the website  - it's difficult to ascertain what we are
>>> offering. The binaries would be linkable from here.
>>>  o Establishing on this mailing list our current state.
>>>
>>> There is a release process drafted here:
>>> http://incubator.apache.org/guides/releasemanagement.html , but I'm not
>>> sure how achievable all of that is at this stage of the project.
>>>
>>> I'll be very interested in what everyone's thoughts are.
>>>
>>>
>>> One question I have is what is the expectation on tutorials at
>>>
>>>
>> ApacheCon?    I'm sure we can create the necessary material but I worry
>> about offering a tutorial for something as early in its life as Kato.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>>
>>>  Stuart
>>>
>>> --
>>> Stuart Monteith
>>> http://blog.stoo.me.uk/
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> Stuart Monteith
> http://blog.stoo.me.uk/
>
>

Re: First Release, tutorial

Posted by Stuart Monteith <st...@stoo.me.uk>.
+1

I also think it's too early. There is no sign on the mailing list of people
trying out what we have already - I'd like more insight from community 
members
before taking it to a tutorial.

Steve Poole wrote:
> On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 5:39 PM, Stuart Monteith <st...@stoo.me.uk> wrote:
>
>   
>> Hi,
>>   It turns out that of our submissions to ApacheConUS 2009, one was
>> accepted. Oddly enough, it was a tutorial rather than a presentation.
>> Here are the details:
>>   http://us.apachecon.com/c/acus2009/speakers/282
>>
>> Before such a thing occurs there should be a release of some sort of our
>> project's code.
>>
>> I was wondering what people (esp. mentors)  thought about that. The code
>> itself would be like an alpha release.  This would hopefully encourage
>> discussion and early adoption, and possible participation.
>>
>> The steps I think would should take towards a release would include:
>>   o Writing documentation
>>   o Improving the website  - it's difficult to ascertain what we are
>> offering. The binaries would be linkable from here.
>>   o Establishing on this mailing list our current state.
>>
>> There is a release process drafted here:
>> http://incubator.apache.org/guides/releasemanagement.html , but I'm not
>> sure how achievable all of that is at this stage of the project.
>>
>> I'll be very interested in what everyone's thoughts are.
>>
>>
>> One question I have is what is the expectation on tutorials at
>>     
> ApacheCon?    I'm sure we can create the necessary material but I worry
> about offering a tutorial for something as early in its life as Kato.
>
> Thanks,
>   
>>   Stuart
>>
>> --
>> Stuart Monteith
>> http://blog.stoo.me.uk/
>>
>>
>>     
>
>   

-- 
Stuart Monteith
http://blog.stoo.me.uk/


Re: First Release, tutorial

Posted by Steve Poole <sp...@googlemail.com>.
On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 5:39 PM, Stuart Monteith <st...@stoo.me.uk> wrote:

> Hi,
>   It turns out that of our submissions to ApacheConUS 2009, one was
> accepted. Oddly enough, it was a tutorial rather than a presentation.
> Here are the details:
>   http://us.apachecon.com/c/acus2009/speakers/282
>
> Before such a thing occurs there should be a release of some sort of our
> project's code.
>
> I was wondering what people (esp. mentors)  thought about that. The code
> itself would be like an alpha release.  This would hopefully encourage
> discussion and early adoption, and possible participation.
>
> The steps I think would should take towards a release would include:
>   o Writing documentation
>   o Improving the website  - it's difficult to ascertain what we are
> offering. The binaries would be linkable from here.
>   o Establishing on this mailing list our current state.
>
> There is a release process drafted here:
> http://incubator.apache.org/guides/releasemanagement.html , but I'm not
> sure how achievable all of that is at this stage of the project.
>
> I'll be very interested in what everyone's thoughts are.
>
>
> One question I have is what is the expectation on tutorials at
ApacheCon?    I'm sure we can create the necessary material but I worry
about offering a tutorial for something as early in its life as Kato.

Thanks,
>   Stuart
>
> --
> Stuart Monteith
> http://blog.stoo.me.uk/
>
>