Mailing-List: contact general-help@incubator.apache.org; run by ezmlm
Precedence: bulk
Reply-To: general@incubator.apache.org
Reply-To: <orcmid@apache.org>
From: "Dennis E. Hamilton" <orcmid@apache.org>
To: <general@incubator.apache.org>
References: <E3CD75B3-F718-4CA4-9C2D-D30E1C6264A4@apache.org>
 <5584170D.1040709@les7arts.com>
In-Reply-To: <5584170D.1040709@les7arts.com>
Subject: RE: [VOTE] Accept Freemarker into Apache Incubator
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2015 09:22:03 -0700
Organization: Interoperability Architect
Message-ID: <003901d0aaac$147170e0$3d5452a0$@apache.org>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
	charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Thread-Index: AQJgu4AW+f3bDXp5U6LAhhi30KMCXAIY1e/GnIL8x3A=
Content-Language: en-us

+1 (non-binding)

----- Original Message -----
Le 19/06/2015 09:15, Jacopo Cappellato a =C3=A9crit :
> Following the discussion in the thread [1], I would like to call a =
VOTE to accept Freemarker as a new Apache Incubator project.
>
> The proposal is available on the wiki at [2] and is also attached to =
this mail.
>
> The VOTE is open for at least the next 72 hours:
>
> [ ] +1 accept Freemarker into the Apache Incubator
> [ ] =C2=B10 Abstain
> [ ] -1 because...
>
> Thank you,
>
> Jacopo Cappellato
>
> 1.
> =
http://mail-archives.apache.org/mod_mbox/incubator-general/201505.mbox/%3=
cCCEFE3ED-66C4-4766-A3D2-6D8BDA855EB0@gmail.com%3e
>
> 2.
> https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/FreemarkerProposal
>
> =
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D
>
> Freemarker Apache Incubator Proposal
>
> Abstract
>
> Freemarker is a "template engine", i.e., a generic tool to generate =
text output based on templates. Freemarker is implemented in Java as a =
class library for programmers.
>
> Freemarker is a mature, widely used template engine. We propose to =
make Freemarker a top level project of the Apache Software Foundation, =
primarily so that it can build a stronger developer community, which =
provides more safety, stability and support to the large user base, and =
also helps evolving the engine and its integration with other projects =
(many of which are Apache projects).
>
> Proposal
>
> Freemarker is a "template engine"; a generic tool that generates text =
output (HTML web pages, e-mails, configuration files, source code, etc.) =
based on templates and changing data. It's not an application for =
end-users in itself, but a Java library, a component that programmers =
can embed into their products.
>
> Freemarker was originally created for generating HTML Web pages, =
particularly in servlet-based applications following the MVC pattern. =
It=E2=80=99s not bound to servlets or HTML, however.
>
> The Freemarker Template Language (FTL) is not a full-blown programming =
language like PHP. It=E2=80=99s a simple, specialized language (although =
among template languages it=E2=80=99s quite flexible). You meant to =
prepare the data to display in a real programming language, like issue =
database queries and do business calculations, and then the template =
displays that already prepared data.
>
> Freemarker 1.x was initially released under the LGPL license. Later, =
by community consensus, we have switched over to a BSD-style license. As =
of Freemarker 2.2pre1 (2003), the original author, Benjamin Geer, has =
relinquished the copyright in behalf of Visigoth Software Society, a =
nonprofit organization started by Jonathan Revusky. With Freemarker =
2.3.21 (2014) the license has changed to Apache License, Version 2.0, =
and the owner has changed from Visigoth Software Society to three of the =
Freemarker 2.x developers, Attila Szegedi, Daniel Dekany, and Jonathan =
Revusky. Apache License, Version 2.0, is the current license.
>
> Freemarker is a mature, widely used template engine. While it =
continues to have a large user base, the active developer community has =
become rather small at this point, and we think that the "Apache Way" =
governance model and being part of the ASF (together with other projects =
that are already using Freemarker) would help to bring new life and =
energy to the project to better support the maintenance and improvements =
of the Freemarker codebase. A larger community may also help to improve =
tooling (such as IDE plugins) and integration with popular frameworks =
(such as Spring MVC, Struts, etc.), which could foster the adoption of =
Freemarker. Last but not least, being under the Apache umbrella would =
put the project into a more trustworthy legal context, which also helps =
adoption, particularly among bigger corporate users.
>
> We believe that Freemarker should become a Top Level Project as =
opposed to a subproject because it has a long history and already a =
large feature set, codebase and documentation and there is a lot of room =
for innovation and improvement that would involve more community =
management; governance and autonomy to make its own direction and manage =
its own community may be important long term factors for the success of =
the project.
>
> Background
>
> A template engine is a template language with the basic infrastructure =
around it (configuring, caching, etc.). A template language is a =
language specialized on generating text based on changing data. Template =
languages like Freemarker Template Language are by design much simpler =
than general purpose languages, while providing convenient specialized =
language devices for tasks that are frequent during text generation.
>
> Template engines, like Freemarker, play an important role in =
applications that leverage the MVC (Model View Controller) pattern; for =
example, several web applications and web application framework =
implement the MVC pattern in the user interface layer: the appearance of =
a page can be changed without programmers having to change or recompile =
code, because the application logic (for example a Java program or a =
Groovy script) and page design (for example a Freemarker template) are =
separated. Freemarker is used to implement the View (V) component of the =
MVC pattern.
>
> Freemarker is also used for generating e-mail, configuration files, =
and pretty much anything that=E2=80=99s text. The same governing MVC =
principles apply there too, which helps to split the problem to more =
manageable pieces.
>
> Rationale
>
> Freemarker is a mature, stable, proven and feature rich template =
engine.
>
> While there are multiple alternative template engines for Java, after =
more than 15 years of life, Freemarker is still one of the most =
featureful and most widely used product in the category of templating =
engines for the Java platform. Despite its age, Freemarker still has =
potential to improve its functionality without breaking out-of-the-box =
backward compatibility, like fixing historical design mishaps, adopting =
proven ideas from template languages of other platforms, or to innovate =
with novel solutions to common templating problems.
>
> Freemarker is integrated in several proprietary and open source =
products such as Apache Struts, Apache OFBiz, Apache Camel, Liferay, =
Alfresco, Magnolia, and new open source frameworks such as Moqui. Some =
popular IDEs, including IntelliJ and Eclipse, have plugins for the =
development of Freemarker templates.
>
> With Freemarker joining the ASF, we hope that more developers would be =
able to join the effort and help improve and maintain the codebase, =
build new features and tools that could foster the long-term future of =
the product.
>
> Current Status
>
> Freemarker is a mature product created and maintained by a small open =
source community for more than 15 years.
>
> Currently Freemarker provides a fully functional implementation =
licensed under ALv2. The project home is at http://freemarker.org/ and =
the majority of development is coordinated via Sourceforge =
(https://sourceforge.net/projects/freemarker/) and GitHub =
(https://github.com/freemarker/freemarker).
>
> The project sports detailed documentation and a big ecosystem of =
projects leveraging it. In fact, quite a few existing ASF project have =
various integrations with Freemarker (OFBiz, Struts, Camel etc.).
>
> Meritocracy
>
> Freemarker has been run by a few core project members with a few =
contributions coming from a wide community of participants in the =
project. In the past, core project members have emerged because of their =
activity and merits as contributors. The Freemarker community is open to =
new ideas and to revisit old ones.
>
> The committers and contributors that were actively involved in the =
project will be encouraged to join the new incubating community.
>
> We want to expand our developer and user community and run the =
Freemarker project in the "Apache Way" clearly signaling not only the =
licensing, but also the governance choice.
>
> Users and new contributors will be treated with respect and welcomed; =
they will earn merit in the project by providing quality patches and =
support that move the project forward. Those with a proven support and =
quality patch track record will be encouraged to become committers. =
Committers that will work for the growth and health of the community =
will be invited to become PMC members.
>
> Community
>
> There are currently just a few active core team members in the project =
and a small group of occasional contributors. The user base is quite =
large and composed by end users (developers using Freemarker for their =
job) and other open source projects.
>
> Core Developers
>
> Core developers are used to work in the openly governed communities. =
The core developers are not currently affiliated with the ASF.
>
> Alignment
>
> The Freemarker product is already licensed under ALv2 and has been =
created and maintained by an open source community for more than a =
decade. Freemarker has been integrated into Apache OFBiz, Apache Struts, =
Apache Camel, Apache Tiles and other projects. Becoming part of the ASF =
family can strengthen the collaboration with these and other projects.
>
> Known Risks
>
> While the Freemarker product is stable and very widely used, in the =
recent years the active core developer community practically has shrunk =
to one person (Daniel Dekany). The core group should grow by attracting =
new contributors in order to ensure continued maintenance in the future, =
and to win resources that helps Freemarker to evolve faster next to the =
maintenance burden.
>
> In fact, if Freemarker will be accepted in the Incubator, the main =
goal during the incubation phase will be attracting new contributors and =
growing the community with an "Apache Way" governance model.
>
> Orphaned products
>
> The Freemarker project is backed up by an open source community that =
has created and maintained the product for more than 15 years.
>
> Inexperience with Open Source
>
> The proposers are experienced open source developers. Freemarker to =
date has been developed as an open source project.
>
> Homogeneous Developers
>
> The Freemarker community is not backed up by any corporation and is =
diverse in terms of geography and backgrounds of developers.
>
> Reliance on Salaried Developers
>
> The Freemarker contributors are volunteers that are not paid for their =
contributions to the project.
>
> Relationships with Other Apache Products
>
> Freemarker is an independent product but there are some relationships =
with other Apache products. Freemarker currently uses some Apache =
products, mostly in its build process (for example Apache Ant, Apache =
Ivy, Apache Xalan). Freemarker has been integrated into other Apache =
products such as Apache OFBiz, Apache Struts, Apache Camel, Apache =
Tiles. Becoming part of the ASF family could strengthen the =
collaboration with these and other projects. Apache Velocity is similar =
in purpose to Freemarker and both address similar needs for a template =
language in text generating applications. However Freemarker and Apache =
Velocity have a very different philosophy, design and implementation and =
there is a sufficient user base and history for both projects to justify =
their independent existence.
>
> An Excessive Fascination with the Apache Brand
>
> While we intend to leverage the Apache =E2=80=98branding=E2=80=99 when =
talking to other projects as testament of our project=E2=80=99s =
=E2=80=98neutrality=E2=80=99, we have no plans for making use of Apache =
brand in press releases nor posting billboards advertising acceptance of =
Freemarker into Apache Incubator.
>
> Documentation
>
> A mature project website is available at freemarker.org. In the =
website a complete manual is available: =
http://freemarker.org/docs/index.html
>
> Initial Source
>
> Initial source is available on GitHub under the ALv2:
>
> 	=E2=80=A2 https://github.com/freemarker/freemarker: The template =
engine itself
> 	=E2=80=A2 https://github.com/freemarker/site: Generates the =
freemarker.org Web site
> 	=E2=80=A2 https://github.com/freemarker/docgen: Transforms an =
XDocBook subset to HTML; used for the Freemarker Manual. (Also for the =
Web site in the future.)
>
> Source and Intellectual Property Submission Plan
>
> We know of no legal encumberments in the way of transfer of source to =
Apache. The copyright holders are the three main contributors in the =
history of the project, of which one is the current maintainer and main =
actor in this incubation process. The other two have been contacted to =
sign the Software License Agreement.
>
> External Dependencies
>
> The dependencies all have Apache compatible licenses.
>
> Required Resources
>
> Mailing lists
>
> 	=E2=80=A2 private@freemarker.incubator.apache.org (moderated =
subscriptions)
> 	=E2=80=A2 dev@freemarker.incubator.apache.org
> 	=E2=80=A2 notifications@freemarker.incubator.apache.org (commits, CI =
reports)
>
> Git Repository
>
> 	=E2=80=A2 =
https://git-wip-us.apache.org/repos/asf/incubator-freemarker.git: the =
template engine itself
> 	=E2=80=A2 =
https://git-wip-us.apache.org/repos/asf/incubator-freemarker-site.git: =
generates the freemarker.org Web site
> 	=E2=80=A2 =
https://git-wip-us.apache.org/repos/asf/incubator-freemarker-docgen.git: =
transforms an XDocBook subset to HTML; used for the Freemarker Manual =
(also for the Web site in the future).
>
> Issue Tracking
>
> JIRA Freemarker (FREEMARKER)
>
> Initial Committers
>
> 	=E2=80=A2 D=C3=A1niel D=C3=A9k=C3=A1ny, ddekany at freemail.hu
> 	=E2=80=A2 Evangelia Dendramis, evangeliad at gmail.com
>
> Affiliations
>
> 	=E2=80=A2 Independent: D=C3=A1niel D=C3=A9k=C3=A1ny
> 	=E2=80=A2 Independent: Evangelia Dendramis
>
> Sponsors
>
> Champion
>
> Jacopo Cappellato
>
> Nominated Mentors
>
> 	=E2=80=A2 David E. Jones - Apache Member
> 	=E2=80=A2 Jacopo Cappellato - Apache Member
> 	=E2=80=A2 Jean-Frederic Clere - Incubator PMC
> 	=E2=80=A2 Ralph Goers - Incubator PMC
> 	=E2=80=A2 Sergio Fern=C3=A1ndez - Incubator PMC
>
> Sponsoring Entity
>
> We would like to propose Apache Incubator to sponsor this project.
>

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: general-unsubscribe@incubator.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: general-help@incubator.apache.org


---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: general-unsubscribe@incubator.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: general-help@incubator.apache.org