What is a Special Topic?

"Special Topics" definition: Special topics are those which often address in-depth issues, large scale redesigns or large scoped projects within DSpace software or the community as a whole. Although these larger scale topics come up during discussions from time to time, often they are set aside as they require more in-depth analysis or discussion before a decision can be made.

"Special Topics" versus "Proposals"

• Special Topics are higher level topics/questions/problems which need to be addressed or discussed. They may include some details or background about the problem domain, but should not suggest any solutions to the problem.
• Development Proposals should present potential solutions to the problem. One Special Topic (e.g. "How can we better handle Preservation Metadata?") may result in many Proposals (e.g. "Option #1", "Option #2", "Combo of Option #1 and #2", etc.)

Special Topics Meetings

Special Topic Meetings: Just after the DSpace Committer's meeting on 2009-Nov-04 (discussion archives) a proposal was made to occasionally designate Committer's meetings as "Special Topic Meetings", in order to begin to tackle these in-depth topics. It was proposed that Special Topic Meetings be held on the following schedule:

• The first Committer Meeting of the month (see Developer Meetings) will be devoted towards special topics.
• As with all Committer Meetings, Special Topic Meetings are open to the public. This means that anyone and everyone is welcome to attend, speak their opinions or just listen in on the discussions.

Special Topics To Be Discussed

Below are a list of "Special Topics" (requiring more detailed discussion) which have come up in various Developer Meetings, conference discussions, etc. This list will and should change. Feel free to add to it, add comments, etc. If comments or discussion becomes more detailed, please create a new wiki page devoted to that topic's discussion.

• Dealing with Robots, Spiders, etc.