OSGeo.org Project Tool FAQ

Deprecated: This information relates to the old CollabNet hosted site, and is no longer applicable.
= General FAQ =
Q: How do I contact another member of OSGeo if I don't know their email address?
A: All registered members can be contacted via the OSGeo ID by emailing the ID@osgeo.org. For example, user foo can be contacted at foo@osgeo.org.
Q: Why is OSGeo.org and its siblings https? 
A: Simple answer: total security. Read the long security answer.
Q: If OSGeo.org is here to promote open source, why host on the commercial CollabNet?
A: This is an often asked question. CollabNet was initialy hired by Autodesk for the job. CollabNet is currently under a one year contract to provide support. Here are a few simple reasons:
* Support - 24/7 support and high reliability
* Multiple project support - Eases the management of the many projects we host here. 
* Integrated subversion, issue management, web space, email, and other tools
* Role-based security - Enables projects to isolate who can do what with code and tools
* Backed by many open source tools (some commissioned by CollabNet)
** http://eyebrowse.tigris.org/
** http://anzu.tigris.org/
** http://svn.tigris.org/
** http://www.ezmlm.org/
** http://www.qmail.org/ (?)
** Many others
 Note: Although CollabNet uses these and other open source products, they are integrated into a proprietary system that enable them to provide multi-project support and management. That boils down to a simpler platform that is meant for end users collaborating on code rather than a site administrator.
= Project Owner FAQ =
== What are these "Project Role Requests" ==
The system allows users to request roles in projects. The project owner gets these requests via email and a link to the approval page. All of the roles available for requesting via the interface are read only roles for the repository. 
All of the roles available for requesting via the interface are read only roles for the repository. They can submit a file in docs & files, join email lists, and the forum if there is one enabled in the project. By joining a project, the user also gets announcements in their home page and a link to the project that they belong to.
Even though these are just read only roles, the requests have to be approved by the project owner. Normally this was because we allowed all roles to be requested. But allowing people to request these roles via the interface caused a lot of confusion. Now other roles with write capability must be assigned by the project owner.
Roles thus should be approved when you get them as they really have no affect other than the user showing interest in a project. There should be info on you project page that shows what the process is for becoming a project committer or other role. 
If you want to email any user to ask why they are requesting a role, you can send them an email using their OSGeo ID. All registered members can be contacted via the OSGeo ID by emailing the ID@osgeo.org. For example, user foo can be contacted at foo@osgeo.org.
== Managing Open Source Projects ==
Managing Changes to Code
= Subversion (svn) FAQ =
== Common SVN Errors ==
Error: Invalid change log message or author: Message must identify an artifact