[Vm-dev] VM team

[David T. Lewis]

Good, thanks. So three things to include the objectives:

  - Clarify (and improve) the process of building a VM; dependencies, what
    is needed, where to get the pieces, how to set up a VMMaker image
  - Make the simulator usable
  - Improve the builder tool UI

On Sat, Apr 11, 2009 at 10:56:48AM -0700, Andreas Raab wrote:
> 
> Sounds good to me. I see this more as a formalization of the arrangement 
> we already have, since you have been taking Tim's role lately with doing 
> most of the integration etc. So you've got my support here.
> 
> In terms of what to do I think what we most need is a bit more clarity 
> for people. For example, how does one actually set up a VMMaker image? 
> You kinda need bits from the four corners of the world and I don't think 
> the process is described anywhere. The shorthand in my VMMaker image says:
> * Load Speech from http://source.squeakfoundation.org/39a
> * Load FFI from Universes
> * Load VMMaker from http://squeaksource.com/VMMaker
> * Load Balloon3D-Constants, Balloon3D-Plugins from 
> http://squeaksource.com/Balloon3D
> * Load Freetype somehow
> 
> This could certainly be improved. The simulator is another piece of the 
> story where we should spend enough time that it can actually be used for 
> simulation of various aspects. And then maybe fix the cruel and unusal 
> UI for VMMaker ;-)
> 
> Cheers,
>   - Andreas
> 
> David T. Lewis wrote:
> > 
> >The Squeak oversight board suggested that we formalize a VM team
> >(http://squeakboard.wordpress.com/) and Bert asked if I would be willing
> >to serve as team leader. I replied that I would be happy to do so.
> >
> >I'd like to start by asking the list, and specifically the major platform
> >developers (Ian, John, Andreas) for your support - do you agree that
> >this is a good idea, and are you willing to have me serve as team
> >leader?
> >
> >We will need to set some team objectives, and then establish a plan
> >to achieve them. For starters, here are some initial ideas for a set
> >of VM team objectives. All comments, additions, deletions, objections,
> >etc are welcome.
> >
> >- Community
> >  - Communicate status and announcements to the community
> >  - Periodically update team objectives based on community input
> >  - Ensure availability of known-good versions (SqueakMap, Universes, 
> >  SqueakSource)
> >  - Identify where help is needed (e.g. Sugar, Ubuntu, sound support)
> >  - Where appropriate, inform Board of resource or funding needs
> >    (e.g. access to computers for building and testing VM distributions)
> >- Support Squeak as an open system
> >  - Support educational goals, an accessible VM is part of Squeak as a 
> >  learning tool
> >  - Write it in Squeak, run it in Squeak, debug it in Squeak 
> >  (InterpreterSimulator should work)
> >  - Everyone should be able to explore and create their own Squeak VM
> >  - Ensure license integrity
> >- Provide solid base to enable VM distributions
> >  - Support distribution developers (Ian, John, Andreas, Tim, others)
> >    - Primary support for Mac/Win/unix/iSqueak
> >    - Enablement for others including RiscOS and SqueakNOS, new projects
> >    - Identify resources to support distribution developers
> >  - Coordinate changes across the several platform source trees and VMMaker
> >  - Ensure owners and maintainers for plugins
> >  - Drive resolution of Mantis issues
> >- Provide base to support new ideas for VM
> >  - Support and enable new development (Spoon, Exupery, Cog, Hydra, others)
> >  - Enable new image formats (including 64-bit object memory, Cog)
> >- Support Squeak new directions
> >  - Support eToys, OLPC, SqueakNOS, Cuis, Pharo
> >  - Provide common VM where possible, encourage extensions as needed
> >
> >Dave
> >