[actf-dev] ACTF restructure update

[Michael A Squillace <masquill@xxxxxxxxxx>]

All:

As documented in an initial posting
to this list on Jan 15, 2010 [1] and, more formally, to the Technology
PMC mailing list [2], and as discussed on an Eclipse ACTF teleconference
held on Jan 22 2010 [3], the Eclipse ACTF project will be restructured
in order to reflect changing priorities and resources within the IBM Human
Ability and Accessibility Center and to ensure that no bariers exist to
the project's successful graduation.

I have slightly modified the original
proposal given comments from members of the Technology PMC. No other comments
have been received and so the actual implementation of the proposed restructure
will commence at the end of this week, barring any other objections or
concerns.

Modified Proposal for Restructuring:

The HA&AC will no longer actively
participate in this project and, therefore, our contributions, which consist
entirely of work done by IBM commiters and contributors and have no down
stream dependencies or consumers of which we are aware, will be removed
from the ACTF project. In particular, we are proposing the following:

1. Remove from the Eclipse CVS repository
the ACTF Java Validation Componentry (Javaco) feature and its related plugins
and resources. The ACTF community, with input from the IBM HA&AC, will
maintain control over decisions about the project's future reactivation
or enhancement (should further requirements arise and resources permit).
The last release of this componentry (v0.4.0), both its binary and SDK
versions, will remain on the Javaco downloads page [4] with a notice that
the componentry is no longer actively developed or supported. All plugins,
features, and other artifacts related to this componentry will be available
in a single archive file via archive.eclipse.org and will be moved to that
repository after Feb 19, 2010. Notice of this relocation will also be explicitly
noted on the Javaco downloads page.

2. Remove from the Eclipse CVS repository
the ACTF Web Validation Componentry (Webelo) feature and its related plugins
and resources. The ACTF community, with input from the IBM HA&AC, will
maintain control over decisions  about the projectthe 's reactivation
or enhancement (should further requirements arise and resources permit).
The last release of this componentry (v0.2.0), both its binary and SDK
versions, will remain on the Webelo downloads page [5] with a notice that
the componentry is no longer actively developed or supported. All plugins,
features, and other artifacts related to this componentry will be available
in a single archive file via archive.eclipse.org and will be moved to that
repository after Feb 19, 2010. Notice of this relocation will also be explicitly
noted on the Webelo downloads page.

3. Remove from the Eclipse CVS repository
the ACTF Accessibility Probe (AccProbe) RCP application as well as its
related plugins and resources. AccProbe will remain an Eclipse RCP application
but further development and enhancements will be directed by the IBM HA&AC
and by the IAccessible2 community residing at the Linux Foundation [6]
and in a code repository designated by that organization. The last release
of AccProbe (v0.4.4), both its binary and SDK versions, will remain on
the AccProbe downloads page [7] with a notice that the new home of AccProbe
is the Linux Foundation.

Of course, any plugins or resources
that are shared between our components and components thus far developed
by other teams within IBM or by external committers will remain in the
Eclipse CVS repository hosting ACTF and these can be developed as their
leads see fit.

Time table:

1. host a phone conference for the ACTF
community and other interested parties regarding this matter (see note
[3])
2. receive any objections to this proposal
within four weeks of the date of this proposal's being discussed on said
teleconference 
- see thread regarding concern expressed
by Wayne Beaton, Technology PMC [8] addressed by above move of dormant
components and artifacts to archive.eclipse.org
3. alert the ACTF community of any changes
or updates given feedback to this proposal and adjust time table accordingly
- this posting shall constitute such
a notification and no adjustments to the time table seem necesssary
4. once all objections and concerns
have been addressed, implement the above restructuring
- this will begin next week, week of
Feb 22 and shall consist of:
1. archiving and then moving dormant
features, plugins, and related artifacts to archive.eclipse.org [9]
2. updating download pages for Javaco,
Webelo, and AccProbe with notifications of both their dormancy and the
location of their respective archives

[1] http://dev.eclipse.org/mhonarc/lists/actf-dev/msg00271.html
[2] http://dev.eclipse.org/mhonarc/lists/technology-pmc/msg02331.html
[3] http://dev.eclipse.org/mhonarc/lists/actf-dev/msg00276.html
[4] http://www.eclipse.org/actf/downloads/components/javaco/index.php
[5] http://www.eclipse.org/actf/downloads/components/webelo/index.php
[6] http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/accessibility/iaccessible2
[7] http://www.eclipse.org/actf/downloads/tools/accprobe/index.php
[8] http://dev.eclipse.org/mhonarc/lists/technology-pmc/msg02332.html
[9] http://dev.eclipse.org/mhonarc/lists/technology-pmc/msg02355.html

--> Mike Squillace
IBM Human Ability and Accessibility Center

W:512.286.8694
M:512.970.0066

External: http://www.ibm.com/able
Internal: http://w3.ibm.com/able