DSpace Developers Virtual Summit (Feb 27 to Mar 2)

Why a "Virtual Summit"?

We've often heard feedback that DSpace Developers just don't get enough time to sit down (face-to-face or otherwise) to discuss larger topics or brainstorm out future ideas for the DSpace platform. Our weekly DSpace Developers Meetings just don't allow for enough time to dig deeply into big topics, and there is sometimes a limit to how much we can discuss via text chat (IRC). Often the only time we are able to discuss larger topics in detail are at the Open Repositories (OR) conference.

The idea is that this "Virtual Summit" will be a form of DSpace "unconference", bringing developers around the world together in a virtual fashion via either audio or video technology. Those in attendance will decide the topics, but we have provided some suggested "hot topics" (which have come up frequently in the past) below.

All discussions will also be fed back to the general public. We'll take notes and send those notes back to everyone on dspace-devel listserv. This allows for non-attendees to also provide feedback throughout the Summit (and afterwards).

If all goes well, we may hold these Virtual Summits a few times a year. We also could brainstorm whether it'd be possible to hold a "Virtual Hack-a-thon" to rapidly develop/prototype out ideas that were brainstormed during the Summit.

Who is invited?

At least initially, this summit is geared towards developers, as discussion will primarily revolve around the existing codebase & internal architecture. However, discussions from this summit will be forwarded out to the community for broader feedback at all levels (repository manager, user, developer, etc.).

If you don't fall into one of the above categories, you are still welcome to attend. However, be warned that discussion will likely get very technical at times (which is why we recommend you be a developer or have a technology background).

Logistics

Connection Instructions

You can call in via either Skype or via your Phone. This call will be audio-only. We will also use the #duraspace IRC as a discussion "backchannel" (to share links, etc.)

Please figure out your mute/unmute settings in advance of the call! As there may be quite a few people on the call, we will ask that you try to mute your line when you are not speaking (as this will ensure we minimize any background noise on the line).

Via Phone:

Via Skype:

  1. Search and Add Contact: "freeconferencecallhd.8053991200"
  2. After freeconferencecallhd.8053991200 is listed in your contact list, simply call that contact.
  3. Enter the participant code through the Skype keypad (not by just typing in the numbers on your keyboard): 929807# (you will prompted to add the # sign).

More info on Skype connections also available at: http://www.freeconferencecallhd.com/skypeinstructions.html

Potential Discussion Topics

Each meeting is an open discussion format (think "unconference"). Those in attendance that day will decide which topic(s) they would like to cover. These topics may or may not be on the below list of ideas. All meeting attendees are expected to participate in the discussion.

The following topics are just possible topics we may wish to discussion. Topics need not be limited by this listing, and others can feel free to add topics they feel may be important.

In no particular order:

Summit Meeting Notes

Day #1 Notes (Feb 27)

Attendees: Kevin Van De Velde, Graham Triggs, Peter Dietz, Andrea Schweer, Kim Shepherd, Hardy Pottinger, Mark Wood, Tim Donohue

Primary Discussion topics:

We took notes via IRC. So, the full notes are up in IRC chatroom: http://irclogs.duraspace.org/index.php?date=2012-02-27

Day #2 Notes (Feb 28)

Attendees: Kevin Van De Velde, Mark Wood, Andrea Schweer, Richard Rodgers, Scott Phillips, Mark Diggory, Hardy Pottinger, Peter Dietz, Tim Donohue

Primary Discussion topics:

We took notes & shared additional links via IRC. http://irclogs.duraspace.org/index.php?date=2012-02-28

Day #3 Notes (Feb 29)

Attendees: Mark Wood, Peter Dietz, Tim Donohue, Andrea Schweer, Graham Triggs, Hardy Pottinger, Richard Rodgers, Brad McLean, Robin Taylor, Mark Diggory, Stuart Lewis

Primary Discussion topics:

We took notes & shared additional links via IRC. http://irclogs.duraspace.org/index.php?date=2012-02-29

Day #4 Notes (Mar 1)

Attendees: Kevin Van De Velde, Tim Donohue, Andrea Schweer, Mark Wood, Graham Triggs, Mark Diggory, Hardy Pottinger, Peter Dietz

Primary Discussion topics:

We took notes & shared additional links via IRC. http://irclogs.duraspace.org/index.php?date=2012-03-01 (Starts at [20:01])

Day #5 Notes (Mar 2)

Attendees: Kevin Van De Velde, Andrea Schweer, Tim Donohue, Peter Dietz, Mark Wood, Graham Triggs, Mark Diggory, Hardy Pottinger

Primary Discussion topics:

Actionable Takeaways

These are final takeaways from the discussion notes above. We've tried to assign these to one or more people when we could, but some are just 'philosophical' takeaways (in how we plan to move the platform forward). For more details on each takeaway, see the discussion notes above.