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Date: Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:50:54 +0200
From: Malte Timmermann <malte_timmermann@gmx.com>
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To: general@incubator.apache.org
Subject: Re: [PROPOSAL] ODF Toolkit for Incubation
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+1 :)

On 20.07.2011 22:29, Rob Weir wrote:
> Apologies to those who have received multiple copies of this message.
> I've cc'ed members of the Apache POI project, the Apache OpenOffice
> podling and the ODF Toolkit Union, due to the prior interest they've
> expressed in this.  I invite them to join the discussion on
> general@incubator.apache.org.  If they want to subscribe to this list
> they can do so by sending an email to
> general-subscribe@incubator.apache.org.
>
> = The ODF Toolkit =
>
> == Abstract ==
>
> The ODF Toolkit is a set of Java modules that allow programmatic
> creation, scanning and manipulation of OpenDocument Format (ISO/IEC
> 26300 == ODF) documents. Unlike other approaches which rely on runtime
> manipulation of heavy-weight editors via an automation interface, the
> ODF Toolkit is lightweight and ideal for server use.
>
> The ODF Toolkit is currently hosted by the ODF Toolkit Union and is
> licensed under the Apache 2.0 license.
>
> == Proposal ==
>
> To move the following components from the ODF Toolkit Union to a
> single "ODF Toolkit" project at Apache:
>
> Simple Java API for ODF: http://simple.odftoolkit.org/
>
> ODFDOM: http://odftoolkit.org/projects/odfdom/pages/Home
>
> ODF Conformance Tools:
> http://odftoolkit.org/projects/conformancetools/pages/Home
>
> (We'd be open as well to a catchier name.  We've been calling it "The
> ODF Toolkit", prefaced always with "The".  Or individually by
> component name.  But "The Apache ODF Toolkit" or "Apache ODF Toolkit"
> are ponderous.)
>
> In addition to migrating the code, we would migrate the website,
> tutorials, samples, Bugzilla data, and (if feasible) the mailing list
> archives.  We would also seek to transfer the odftoolkit.org domain
> name to Apache.
>
> While under incubation we will merge these projects into a single SDK
> with three layers:
>
> # Package layer, representing the ZIP + Manifest container file of an
> ODF document.  This structure is shared by other document formats,
> such as EPUB
> # DOM Layer, a schema-generated layer that maps 1:1 with the ODF
> schema.  This uses Apache Velocity as the templating engine.
> # Convenience layer: an intuitive, high level API for use by app
> developers who are not familiar with ODF XML, but who have basic
> knowledge at the level of a word processor user.
>
> == Background ==
> The ODF Toolkit Union was jointly announced by Sun and IBM at the
> OpenOffice.org Conference in Beijing, November 2008. The idea was to
> create a portfolio of tools aimed at accelerating the growth of
> document-centric solutions. The Open Document Format specification is
> large and complex. Most developers simply do not have the time and
> energy to master the 1,000-page specification  By providing
> programming libraries, with high level APIs, the ODF Toolkit offers an
> means to reduce the difficulty level, and encourage development of
> innovative document solutions.
>
> == Rationale ==
>
> During the recent OpenOffice incubation proposal discussions, the
> mention of possible moving the ODF Toolkit to Apache was met with
> enthusiasm.
>
> Apache is emerging as the leading open source community for document
> related projects.  The ODF Toolkit would have a good deal of synergy
> with other Apache projects, including the ODF Toolkit's dependency on
> Apache XML tools like Xerces, to possible multi-format applications
> with POI libraries to pipelining ODF with SVG and PDF rendering with
> Batik, FOP or  PDFBox.  Getting these various document processing
> libraries in one place, under a compatible permissive license would be
> of great value and service to users-developers interested in combining
> these tools for their specific project requirements.
>
> Last, but not least,  there is obvious synergy with Apache OpenOffice,
> as a prominent office suite supporting the ODF format.
>
> The ODF Toolkit is already licensed under Apache License, Version 2.0,
> enabling a smooth transition.
>
> = Current Status =
> == Meritocracy ==
> We understand the intention and value of meritocracy at Apache.  The
> initial committers are familiar with open source development.  A
> diverse developer community is regarded as necessary for a healthy,
> stable, long term ODF Toolkit project.
>
> == Community ==
>
> The ODF Toolkit is developed by a small set of core developers, though
> the community extends to include a broad set of application developers
> who use the code and contribute bug reports, patches and feature
> requests.
>
> Although there are some open source projects that use these components
> directly, such Apache Directory Studio and GNU Octave,  to support ODF
> import/export, it is more typical for these kinds of libraries to be
> used by application developers in small, ad-hoc document automation
> and data wrangling applications.
>
>
> == Core Developers ==
> The coders on the existing ODF Toolkit will comprise the initial
> committers on the Apache project.  These committers have varying
> degrees of experience with Apache-style open source development,
> ranging from none to being committers on other Apache projects..
>
> == Alignment ==
> Along with the technical synergies described earlier, Apache aligns
> well due to its license and emphasis on meritocracy.
>
> = Known Risks =
> == Orphaned products ==
>
> The risk, as in most projects, is to grow the project and maintain
> diversity.  This is a priority that is keenly desired by the
> community.
>
> == Inexperience with Open Source ==
> The initial developers include experienced open source developers,
> including committers from other Apache projects. Although the majority
> of proposed committers do not have Apache experience, they do have
> open source experience.
>
> == Homogeneous Developers ==
> The ODF Toolkit Union was created by IBM and Sun (later Oracle) who
> provided the majority of its engineering resources as well as its
> direction. Moving this project to Apache enables a new start.  We
> intend to engage in strong recruitment efforts in order to further
> strengthen and diversify the community.
>
>
> == Reliance on Salaried Developers ==
> When we look at sponsored developers, with the ability to work on this
> project full time, IBM currently has more committers.  We believe that
> this situation will change, as the project grows in incubation.
>
> == Relationships with Other Apache Products ==
> Several potential areas for collaboration with other Apache projects
> have been suggested, including:
>
> [[http://poi.apache.org|Apache POI]] which is similar library, focused
> on Microsoft Office format documents
>
> [[http://tika.apache.org/|Apache Tika]] is a generic toolkit for
> extracting text and metadata from various file formats.
>
> [[http://pdfbox.apache.org/|Apache PDFBox]] is a Java library for
> working with PDF documents. If not direct code sharing over the Java /
> C++ divide, then at least sharing of PDF know-how and perhaps things
> like test cases between these projects would be great.
>
> We are interested in further exploring these options.
>
> ==A Excessive Fascination with the Apache Brand==
>
> Our primary interest is in the processes, systems, and framework
> Apache has put in place around open source software development more
> than any fascination with the brand.
>
> ==Documentation==
>
> There is documentation for the Simple Java API for ODF project,
> including a Cookbook, and JavaDoc:
>
> http://simple.odftoolkit.org/cookbook/
>
> http://simple.odftoolkit.org/javadoc/index.html
>
> For the ODFDOM, there is a good overview documenting the project here:
> http://odftoolkit.org/projects/odfdom/pages/ProjectOverview
>
> A 3rd party introductory tutorial here:
> http://www.langintro.com/odfdom_tutorials/
>
> ==Initial Source==
>
> Will come from the ODF Toolkit Union, the latest stable source, plus
> any work in-progress
>
> ==External Dependencies==
>
> We do not believe that we have any external dependencies other than
> Apache Xerces, Xalan, Velocity (a build-time dependency), Java 6 and
> the ODF schemas (also a build-time dependency)
>
> ==Cryptography==
>
> We are currently working on adding support for digital signatures and
> encryption of documents. The project will complete any needed export
> control paperwork related to these features.
>
> ==Required Resources==
>
> The following mailing lists:
>
>   * `odf-dev@incubator.apache.org` - for developer discussions
>
>   * `odf-user@incubator.apache.org` - for user discussions
>
>   * `odf-commits@incubator.apache.org` - for Subversion commit messages
>
>   * `odf-issues@incubator.apache.org` - for JIRA change notifications
>
>   * `odf-notifications@incubator.apache.org` - for continuous
> build/test notifications
>
> ===Other resources===
>
> A source code repository, preferable git
>
> An issue tracker
>
> A wiki
>
> A website
>
> ==Initial Committers==
>
>   Rob Weir
>   Biao Han
>   Svante Schubert
>   Ying Chun Guo
>
> ==Sponsors==
>
> ===Champion===
> Sam Ruby
>
> ===Nominated Mentors===
> Nick Burch
> Yegor Kozlov
>
> ===Sponsoring Entity===
>
> The Apache Incubator
>
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