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Newly Created Compiz Council Charts Forward Course

Compiz, the project that brought spectacular desktop effects to Linux, acknowledged earlier this year it was grappling with organizational difficulties. Kristian Lyngstol, a long-time Compiz developer, said in a passionate but level-headed post to the development list that the project faced a grim future if it continued on its present path. Lyngstol proposed that strong leadership, and a clearly defined roadmap would retain existing developers, make the development process simpler, and even attract new developers.

Lyngstol said it would still be a rough ride, but that this would give the project a fighting chance. This week, after much discussion and numerous conference calls, an official statement was issued detailing where Compiz would move next. While the newly formed council predicts the 0.9 release will still be "quite volatile," and the roadmap is subject to some change, its focus now is to maintain and improve the project's overall health.

The new council is composed of five long time members of the Compiz community. The council plans to operate transparently and openly, and encourages community discussion and input in the decision making process. The council has not yet worked out all the formalities, but seems to realize that while community involvement is crucial, so is knowing when it must step in to make a decision.

The Compiz team hopes to have the next stable release available in August or September of this year, and is well aware that given its new management structure and the nature of software development, things are subject to some degree of change.

It's not easy (or pleasant) to acknowledge a project one is passionate about has serious issues, but it speaks volumes when a development team can point out these flaws, and then assemble itself and its surrounding community into an organized, forward-looking position so quickly. Compiz might have a bumpy ride yet, but those involved are dedicated, realistic, and willing to push onward.

• linux
• development
• X
• Compiz

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