From: Fernando Cacciola (fernando_cacciola_at_[hidden])
Date: 2005-05-03 11:41:48
Hello people,
In 1998, Bemans Dawes wrote the "Proposal for a C++ Library Repository Web
Site" (you can find the paper in (www.boost.org/more/index.htm), which
lunched the Boost we all know and love today.
The focus of the site was and is the production of high-quality
peer-reviewed C++ libraries.
Over the years, Boost grew as a community of experienced C++ developers with
the will and means to share their expertise and work contributing to the
highly respected Boost Libraries. Today, Boost is a somewhat recongisable
part of the C++ programming community at large.
Today, the way I see it, Boost as a community encompases only the boost
developers, which are just a fraction of the larger C++ crowd. There are
certainly Boost users, but I don't think we can say both developers and
users form a community. I think is worth and in-the-spirit to reach out for
ALL C++ programmers of ALL LEVELS around an "extended" Boost Community whose
main sharing point is not just the submission of high-quality libraries but
also the efficient and effective use of the language.
A Boost Community site would focus not directly in the Libraries produced by
Boost but on C++ itself as the great language we all love and on fostering
proper use of it (which includes mixing it with other languages when
appropiate).
It would be volunteer-driven, just like the Boost libraries are, so the site
would be moderated but open for external edition (I think a wiki would
work).
I envision it having home page links to the fundamental resources for C++
programmers (CUJ,ACCU, "the" books, etc), blogs from developers and users
(related to state of the art C++ and/or the boost libraties), important C++
related news (not just boost-library related news), reviews, etc...
essentially, everything the will of volunteers can bring on to the
community. The motto being "fostering proper use of C++".
A minimum of moderation would be required but I assume not much.
I know there are other programmer communities around (even C++ focused). The
reason I propose this here (around Boost) is becasue I think that a
community centered around the Boost Libraries but reaching out could stand
out for its quality in the same way the Boost Libraries do.
I also know that a newsgroup or mailing list is a form of community, and we
have c.l.cpp.m and c.s.cpp. But they lack the verstile structure and
dynamism of the today's virtual communities. Also, somehow I believe that
centering a community around the Boost Libraries would spread their quality
into the rest of the site; to some degree at least.
I welcome comments, ctricticism and I call interested people to put forward
concrete ideas.
Best
Fernando Cacciola
SciSoft