[PATCH rtems-docs] eng: Add rules for attribution

[Chris Johns]

On 28/9/21 11:11 pm, Christian MAUDERER wrote:
> Hello Joel,
> 
> Am 28.09.21 um 14:48 schrieb Joel Sherrill:
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Sep 28, 2021, 1:40 AM Christian MAUDERER
>> <christian.mauderer at embedded-brains.de
>> <mailto:christian.mauderer at embedded-brains.de>> wrote:
>>
>>     Hello Joel,
>>
>>     Am 28.09.21 um 01:12 schrieb Joel Sherrill:
>>      > The Microblaze port is interesting for attribution. I did initial
>>     work
>>      > on it. Hesham added to that and got Hello on a board. Alex is
>>     close to
>>      > submitting the port in a nice state.
>>      >
>>      > This is almost seven years across three developers.. The original
>>     work
>>      > predates source code reorganisation. Alex deleted the autoconf
>>     support
>>      > and created waf. Hesham and I agreed to convert to BSD-2.
>>      >
>>      > When submitted, we decided it was best for Alex to submit a Joel
>>     patch,
>>      > then Hesham, then Alex to finish it off. This keeps git blame
>>     working.
>>      >
>>      > Not quite the same topic but related to credit due.
>>
>>     But maybe an important extension. Should we replace "sponsored" with
>>     "sponsored or supported"? That would allow to mention anyone who helps
>>     in any way, regardless whether it's financial, with information, with
>>     hobby time or with whatever else.
>>
>>
>> I usually use the word sponsored. Support implies commercial activities the
>> way I/we tend to use it.
>>
> 
> Seems that I picked the wrong word then. Maybe you can help me finding the
> correct term:
> 
> The one case is clear: Someone pays that someone else develops for example a
> driver. I think for that "sponsored" is a good term.
> 
> Another similar case could be the following: You get help with writing a driver
> for example with information or some other form of help that doesn't result in a
> copyright for that person or company. It doesn't involve money or some other
> form of payment (T-shirts, pizza, ...) so it's not really sponsoring. Despite
> that it might would be nice to mention them if they want to be mentioned. I
> think the right location would be the same place like the one we just discuss
> for sponsoring. What would be a good term for that?

I think we should take baby steps with this. I have some reservation on where
this could go and the long term effects. If too widely spread and embedded in
the source it could be difficult to remove or change if we find an issue in
doing this.

In a private chat on the subject Gedare suggested a "Supporters" file? This
could list those who have provided support and wish to be listed. I am avoiding
sponsorship and other words here on purpose for now. I have no idea what works
legally around the world.

I do want a working foundation and yes I know that has stalled for reasons
beyond my control but if that path becomes active I am not sure how that works
in with this approach.

I also acknowledge I am not sure what other open source projects do and how they
handle this. If there are other working examples we can review I would welcome that.

Chris