<!DOCTYPE article PUBLIC "-//OASIS//DTD DocBook V3.1//EN">
<article>
<artheader>
   <title>Open Source Writers Group: Roadmap</title>
   <revhistory>
      <revision>
         <revnumber>0.1</revnumber>
         <date>November 2, 1999</date>
         <authorinitials>Deb Richardson - deb@oswg.org</authorinitials>
      </revision>
   </revhistory>
</artheader>

<sect1>
<title>
Short-Term Development Plans
</title>
<para>
Currently, the OSWG has four mailing lists, a website, and a CVS tree.
These are a good start towards establishing a foundation for the
project, but there is definitely more work to be done.
</para>

<sect2>
<title>
Automate Documentation Generation
</title>
<para>
First off, the automatic generation scripts that turn the DocBook SGML
instances contained in the CVS tree have to be completed.  These scripts
are currently (as of Nov 1, 1999) in the "testing" phase, and should be
fully automated within a week or so.  More scripts are needed, however,
including db2man (for man pages) and db2ascii (for plaintext ascii).
Current scripts (which are part of the docbook-tools suite) enable the
autogeneration of HTML, PS, PDF, DVI, and TEX formats.
</para>
</sect2>

<sect2>
<title>
Improve Open-Content DocBook Docs
</title>
<para>
Second, the OSWG must increase the quantity and quality of it's
DocBook-related resources.  Ideally, the OSWG will have DocBook
documentation written by one or more OSWG members that includes
templates, tutorials, various HOWTOs and FAQs, etc.  The purpose of
these resources would be to make it as easy as possible for new people
to begin writing and submitting documentation in valid DocBook format.
</para>
</sect2>

<sect2>
<title>
Create a Proper Volunteers/Projects Database
</title>
<para>
Also on the OSWG TODO list is the creation and population of a
volunteers/projects database that will automate the process of
registering volunteers and projects and adding those to the OSWG
website.  The database will also provide some functionality towards
automating the process of matching volunteers to projects and
vice-versa.  The "documentation wishlist" will also be included, as will
all OSWG-initiated projects.  
</para>
</sect2>

<sect2>
<title>
Improve and Add to Existing Communications Channels
</title>
<para>
In order to further open the channels of communication, it is hoped that
the OSWG will be able to set up an IRC server (ideally irc.oswg.org) to
host IRC channels for any documentation project that wishes to take
advantage of this service.  Naturally, #oswg will be the OSWG's own
channel.  This shouldn't be difficult to arrange.
</para>
</sect2>

<sect2>
<title>
Develop a Cooperative Relationship with the OSRT and Similar Groups
</title>
<para>
The OSWG could do valuable work with the Open Source Research Team that
is part of MetaLab.  The OSRT is doing some extremely interesting work
regarding metadata and open-source documentation, and the OSWG could and
should work with them to improve their ideas and implementations, as
well as acting to educate and recruit people to help with the future
iterations of this project.  
</para>
</sect2>
</sect1>

<sect1>
<title>
Long-Term Development Plans
</title>

<sect2>
<title>
Open-Content Documentation Symposium/Conference
</title>
<para>
Farther down the road, the OSWG intends to organize and host an
Open-Source/Open-Content Documentation Symposium.  Initial planning for
this event has already begun, and details will be announced as possible.
The success and feasibility of the Symposium depend a great deal on the
generosity of interested sponsors. 
</para>
</sect2>

<sect2>
<title> 
Open-Content Documentation Grant Program
</title>
<para>
Ideally, the OSWG will also be able to act as a central organization
through which a documentation-grant program can be initiated.  Money for
this program would be donated by interested sponsors, and would be given
to writers or project teams who have valuable projects (with solid
project plans) that will further increase the quality and quantity of
free open-source/open-content documentation.  Details for the grant
program must be discussed at great length, of course, as this idea is
currently in the "gestation" phase.
</para>
</sect2>

<sect2>
<title>
Open-Content Documentation Awards
</title>
<para>
The OSWG also plans on initiating the Annual Open-Source/Open-Content
Documentation Awards.  These awards would be given to writers or project
teams who have done outstanding work that contributes to the overall
quality and quantity of o-s/o-c documentation.  Again, this idea is
currently in the development stages, and must be refined.  The number
and value of awards would be dictated by the generosity of interested
sponsors.
</para>
</sect2>
</sect1>

<sect1>
<title>
Further Future Development
</title>
<para>
Future development of the OSWG and its projects will depend a great deal
on its members as well as on the Open Source community as a whole.  If
you have any ideas or feedback about how the OSWG could better fulfill
its primary goal of improving the quality and quantity of free
open-souce/open-content documentation, please email editor@oswg.org.
The OSWG is a community project -- wholly for the community, and wholly
by the community.  It will endeavour to meet the documentation and
related needs of that community, above all else.
</para>
</sect1>

</article>


