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Regarding U+1 and the changes in QA

 

(This has also been posted at Ubuntu+1 at http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1940914. I'm reposting it to the Team Mailing List so we can discuss our team management without causing any disruption to the support we provide at Ubuntu+1)
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I guess this is a good opportunity to give some feedback to everyone about the _*U+1 Team*_ <https://wiki.ubuntu.com/U+1>. We've been through this team creation process for a while, and some people mentioned being a little lost as to what we are gonna do, how it changes what we used to do normally, how the team works, how it relates to QA activities, etc.

I have been talking to Guitara almost everyday and not only he has provided me with amazing guidance on the creation of our team with UbuntuForums Ubuntu+1 sub-forum regulars, but he has also been sharing a lot of information about QA structure, how other teams work and ideas on how we could contribute more to Ubuntu.

In-between all this, I have also been talking to some U+1 members and people from here to understand how they feel about dedicating some of their time to QA tasks and to be a member of the QA Team, what they see as good and bad things about QA and how they think U+1 Team could integrate to QA.

I have shared the results of these talks with Guitara and, one thing we agree on, is that people should continue to do what they love to do and do well. Any change must be one that empowers people to do it better.

Ubuntu users that currently test and do support on an IRC-Based community have chosen that community because they enjoy that media and felt welcomed at that community. The same for others at other forums and us here at UbuntuForums. Everyone is attached to a way of doing things and to a community. Changes in that shouldn't ever be enforced, or we may actually cause more damage than good.

Guitara has been working a lot in the QA ecosystem, he's aware of all this and is burning brain cells to organize some plan that respects previously formed testing communities structures and processes and provides them with resources to support their work.

*Addressing some of the mails and PMs regarding U+1 and this thread:
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*What exactly is U+1?*
U+1 is simply the formalization of a naturally formed community at Ubuntu+1. It basically aims at communicating our efforts to a larger Ubuntu community that wasn't really aware of us and finding ways through which we can all learn and provide better results to the development of Ubuntu while still keeping it fun for us. Unlike other communities, it was designed (and its processes are still is under development!) so it will always be democratic, sustainable (with long-term goals and plan) and *independent*.

*How does it relate to QA?*
Our team is formed as an independent one. It is self-managed under clearly defined rules (see the _*wiki*_ <https://wiki.ubuntu.com/U+1/plan>) that fully comply to minimal requirements of the *_Community Council_* <https://wiki.ubuntu.com/CommunityCouncil>. Right now, it is not under QA or any other structure and it is completely free to change or maintain it's structure, goals and processes. It's designed to be a meritocracy, so every member has the right (and is encouraged) to propose change, accept or question and improve processes, etc.

*How will it relate to QA and other structures in the future?*
I want to ensure everyone that I'm working my best so that the U+1 Team has a real opportunity as a contributor in a new QA structure, in which our _*team members*_ <https://wiki.ubuntu.com/U+1/staff> will be able to continue to enjoy our community and it's processes, plans, etc. At the same time, being under this new QA structure can provide us with good opportunities to learn, meet other interesting people (users, devs, teams, etc) in the Ubuntu universe, get access to new and improved testing tools and resources that allow us to do better testing and reporting.

*Is everything going to change now we will do the QA tasks?*
No, that would be unacceptable. During the remaining of the PP cycle, I encourage everyone to help QA in the testing they need if possible. But QA itself is changing and will improve greatly. At any rate, everyone can rest assured that it will continue to be fun. That is a top priority. No change that takes the fun out of it will be enforced. That's basic if we wanna keep current talents and recruit new ones.

*What about UbuntuForums Ubuntu+1? Will it change?*
No, not at all. Ubuntu+1 is where we all met and the U+1 community was formalized. U+1 uses Ubuntu+1, as it uses other resources (Launchpad, Mailing List, Wiki, IRC, etc). Ubuntu+1 is managed by the forum council and U+1 has no responsibility for managing it, and no power (or plan) to change it in any way. Ubuntu users - U+1 members or not - that come here for support or just to hang around will be completely free to continue to do so.

*What about U+1 leadership? How can I be a part of it? Why are you the leader?* As explained at our Wiki, in the *_leadership section_* <https://wiki.ubuntu.com/U+1/plan#Leadership>, /*I am not the team leader*/. This position is of *Cariboo907* for the remaining of the PP cycle and will be put to vote for the QQ cycle (team leader and council). Everyone is eligible. I have decided to create the team and dedicate my time to it, but I have just the same power to change it as everyone else. Everything is open for questioning, change and improvement. Our current team leader will communicate members about this process soon and everyone will be able to run for a position in the team management.

*Will we have a new hierarchy under QA? Does U+1 ceases to exist as a team?*
U+1 will continue to be a registered Team, with its own objectives, long-term plans, processes, hierarchy, leadership, council, etc. It is managed by its own members and envisions long-term sustainability as one of its top priorities. It won't cease to exist. But, if we move into a new QA, we will have to accept QA rules and procedures when using their resources and doing QA tasks. Everything else, inside of U+1 spectrum, is managed internally.

*Why haven't we done anything yet? And will things start to happen? What's the current status?* As you can see, we are just starting to organize as a team. Right now, we have 22 registered members, 3 of them haven't signed the *_Ubuntu Code of Conduct_* <http://www.ubuntu.com/project/about-ubuntu/conduct>, and 21 of our regulars haven't yet manifested if they want to join the team or not. We are also following the changes in QA and being an active part of it. Putting all of this together will probably take the rest of the PP cycle, so we can start the next development cycle with a solid and efficient structure.

Please, feel free to contact me via PM or email (see our Wiki or my *_Launchpad_* <https://launchpad.net/%7Eeffenberg0x0>) for my e-mail address.

(I have sent this to the team _*Mailing List*_ <mailto:u+1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, so we can also receive feedback and discuss using that media - without disrupting the support to users provided at Ubuntu+1 with our management discussion).

Regards,
Effenberg