GNU C Library Steering Committee - Aligning glibc terminology with gcc

[Alexandre Oliva]

On Jun 16, 2025, "Carlos O'Donell" <carlos@redhat.com> wrote:

> I am not suggesting we change the name GNU Maintainer, or any other
> term assigned by the GNU Project, so that is no change.

"Stewards" was IIRC the term GNU used in the appointment of our
collective.  What I'm saying is that we don't have authority to change
that.  Only GNU management does.

>> So my vote is for us to wait for GNU to make the official move.

> I take that as not objecting to removing the name steward and aligning
> with gcc.

That's a misunderstanding.

I object to the churn (we know change is coming from upper mgmt), and I
object to spurious alignment to a package that took a step away from GNU
through this very structure.

>> If anyone feels it is called for, I wouldn't mind the addition of a
>> disclaimer of any "open-source steward"ship under the EU CRA that might
>> be incorrectly presumed from our maintainership roles.

> That's a disclaimer that I expect the GNU Project should make in the
> "Words to Avoid" page:
> https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.en.html

I trust it will be there eventually, when GNU is ready to make that
move.  I expect at the same time our collective will get a suitable
name.  I don't mind if we send a recommendation or a reminder in case it
doesn't come timely.

> This has been discussed upstream in GNU Project discussions, but not yet
> updated by the project (see the gnu-prod-discuss thread).

It has, and I don't think a decision has been made about it.  That's
exaclty one of the reasons why I find this proposal misplaced in its
timeliness: it will make for churn and/or noise when the decision comes.

> - Using the name steering committee aligns with gcc.

That's of no relevance for GNU libc IMHO.

> - Using the name steering committee avoids a word with EU CRA meaning.

Any other name that avoids the EU CRA meaning solves that issue equally,
but it's not for us to change it unilaterally.

> - The GNU Project is working to make the word "steward" a word to avoid.

So we can presume that it will change the name of our collective body as
well.  We can offer our recommendation, but we can't decide to change it
on our own, and I don't want the churn or the noise of changing it
multiple times.


The timing of your proposal makes it seem like you're attempting to
preempt that coming change.

That by itself is reason for concern for me.

Now, if you're just trying to help solve a real problem, my
recommendation is to go through the proper channels with a
recommendation, instead of pushing for a decision that exceeds the
authority delegated to this group.

-- 
Alexandre Oliva, happy hacker            https://blog.lx.oliva.nom.br/
Free Software Activist     FSFLA co-founder     GNU Toolchain Engineer
Learn the truth about Richard Stallman at https://stallmansupport.org/