Going for a Code of Conduct
It may be long overdue, but based on recent events, we have launched Code of Conduct project at MariaDB Foundation. Our aim is to get your feedback and define a CoC, ideally by end of January, if we see convergence.
In the meantime, if we see unacceptable behaviour on the MariaDB mailing list or elsewhere, we will take action. We want to extend our apology to those who have had unpleasant experiences, about which we have done nothing in the past.
As for the code of conduct wording, our goal is to keep it short. Lofty goals often trigger distractive debates; yet, we must still not accept abusive language. Although we support making the world a better place, we are primarily pursuing that goal through making a better database.
Below, you see our working draft. You may have experiences from elsewhere about what works and what doesn’t. Please tell us!
MariaDB Foundation Code of Conduct
MariaDB Foundation is about supplying the world with an easy to use, stable, and performant database, based on the values of Openness, Adoption, and Continuity.
MariaDB Foundation wants to foster a community of users that supports these goals. This implies the need for respectful treatment of fellow members of the MariaDB community.
Hence, we expect our user base to be respectful and considerate, be open to differing viewpoints, avoid personal attacks and inflammatory language, and protect the confidential information of others. We encourage helpfulness towards fellow MariaDB users, demonstrated by attempting to understand the issues other users are having and to solve them with insightful advice as well as with pointers to relevant documentation.
To report any issues in confidence please contact foundation@mariadb.org.
Thank you for keeping it simple, and I hope this is adopted so our inboxes are not flooded with verbal attacks by folks who cannot conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner.
The behaviour you described is the kind of behaviour we do not want in our community. People can disagree on things without the need for personal attacks. We are all smart people, so we should use our smarts for the good of the people and the software 🙂
Exactly. Ideas, algorithms and designs can be attacked. Persons should not.
However, people should not misinterpret a test on their idea, algorithm or design as a personal attack. Testing ideas, algorithms and design is a necessary step.
It may be noted that if any person feels that they must resort to a personal attack, it’s likely because they can’t see any fault in the idea, algorithm or design.
I do like the simplicity of the CoC statement.
Thank you for the great work on MariaDB. Just like with the database engine your CoC seems to keep it simple while closing the gap on deficiencies.