Working Group Collaborative Tools

Identity Commons provides both a face-to-face and an online space in which this community can meet and collaborate. The primary online tools that we use are Wikis and mailing lists. We provide these tools under the IC namespace to any Working Group that wants them. At the same time, we want to encourage good usage patterns with these tools. As a result, we've developed the following guidelines for requesting collaborative tools.


 * If you think you might want a Wiki for an existing or possible Working Group, start with this Wiki first. Create a page for your Working Group on this Wiki, and encourage people to develop content here.  If traction develops over time and the need becomes clear for a separate Wiki, request it on the community mailing list.
 * If you would like to propose a Working Group, and you'd like to get a mailing list before the Working Group is approved, you may request one with the following caveats:
 * Use this Wiki to draft your charter first.
 * Request a mentor from the Stewards Council, who can share his or her experiences for starting and facilitating Working Groups.

How You Can Help
We want to offer these services free of charge to our Working Groups, but the reality is that nothing comes for free, and that we need resources in order to provide a high-level of service to our community.

Here's how you can help:


 * If you have experience with system administration, we could always use more volunteers. Please join the community mailing list and volunteer there, or contact Eugene.
 * We've calculated a budget of $6,000/year (see IC Collaborative Tools for budget breakdown) for paid support to cover our needs. If you'd like to make a donation to support this important function, please contact Dan Perry.

Acknowledgements
Fen Labalme has worked tirelessly across many fronts for decades towards our vision of user-centric identity. This has included single-handedly supporting the Identity Commons infrastructure for more than five years, no small task, yet only a small part of what he has contributed. Thank you, Fen!

Also thanks to Fen's company, CivicActions, for providing Identity Commons hosting, free of charge.