From Users to “Shareholders”: The Apache Foundation in 2600 Days
In a remarkable journey spanning over 8 years, Junping, a renowned expert in Tencent’s cloud big data and artificial intelligence product development, has been invited to become a member of the prestigious Apache Software Foundation (ASF). This esteemed organization, with over 883 members worldwide, including prominent figures like Kyligence co-founder and CEO Han Qing (Luke Han) and open source community leader Liu Tiandong (Ted Liu), is a testament to the power of open-source collaboration.
A New Era of Responsibility
As an ASF member, Junping will receive quarterly reports on over 350 open-source projects under the Apache Foundation, enabling him to play a more significant role in project management. This new responsibility is a significant milestone in Junping’s career, marking a shift from contributor to “shareholder” in the ASF. With this new status, Junping will have the right to elect the board of directors and propose new incubator projects as a mentor.
The Apache Way
The ASF’s mode of operation, which has been in place for over 20 years, is a sophisticated gear that rotates around the clock, driven by the concept of open source. This model is characterized by a dynamic process of community growth, transparency, and collaboration. As a community, the ASF is not fixed in stone, but rather a living, breathing entity that adapts to the needs of its members. The ASF’s official website contains dozens of documents that outline its operations, providing a wealth of information for users and contributors alike.
The Journey from Contributor to ASF Member
The path to becoming an ASF member is not an easy one. It requires a deep understanding of the project’s evolving community, nomination, incubation, and ultimately, top-level project status. Junping’s journey, spanning over 15 years, is a testament to his dedication and contributions to the open-source community.
Tencent’s Open Source Journey
Tencent’s Open Source Management Office, established in 2018, is a testament to the company’s commitment to open-source collaboration. The office’s organizational structure is designed to mirror the ASF’s mode of operation, with a focus on transparency, community growth, and collaboration. Junping, the current chairman of the Tencent Open Source Alliance (TOSA), has taken the initiative to assume responsibility for managing Tencent’s open source and governance.
TOSA’s Goals
Junping has outlined three key goals for TOSA:
- Improved Tencent Open Source Review Process: To audit released unified platforms, allowing everyone to see the review process and other projects under review. This will enable transparency and encourage the development of mentorship and code quality considerations.
- Helping Projects Build an External Ecology: To assist open-source projects in building an external ecosystem, Junping suggests that Tencent provide support for open-source projects, including authentication release for production environments and cloud contribution patches.
- Establishing a Tencent Evaluation System for Open Source: To develop a more detailed and professional evaluation system for open-source projects, providing users with confidence in the quality and reliability of Tencent’s open-source offerings.
Conclusion
Junping’s journey from contributor to ASF member is a testament to the power of open-source collaboration and the importance of community growth and transparency. As TOSA’s chairman, Junping is committed to promoting Tencent’s open-source initiatives and establishing a more professional evaluation system for open-source projects. This paper highlights the importance of open-source collaboration and the need for a more detailed and professional evaluation system for open-source projects.