Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly.Charles Addams (cartoonist)
This is one of the most difficult articles I have written, for many reasons, but it is an important one to examine the wide-ranging implications of the Joomla! Code of Conduct.
In case you have not heard of the Joomla! Code of Conduct [J!CoC] document, this is the opening paragraph:
This document outlines the Code of Conduct for all persons volunteering their service to the Joomla Project and/or Open Source Matters. It covers your behaviour as a member of the Joomla community, in any forum, mailing list, Wiki, Web site, IRC channel, install-fest, public meeting or private correspondence.Joomla! Code of Conduct, 3-Aug-2018
The J!CoC goes on to address the obligations of people to
- be considerate
- be respectful
- be collaborative
- “step down considerately” [when your involvement with the Joomla! project comes to an end]
- be contactable
- be honest
- follow the “rules”
- exercise discretion and confidentiality at appropriate times
- disclose any potential “conflict of interest”
- … and a couple of other matters that relate more specifically to the Board of Directors, Open Source Matters [OSM]
There are no specific sanctions—that I can see—if people don’t comply with the J!CoC, except “If you cannot agree to any of these principles, then volunteering in the Joomla! Project is not for you.”
What does all of this mean for you and me? Read more to find out.
