From: Daniel Berger Date: 2002-01-20T14:13:43+09:00 Subject: Re: ssh module? (not zebedee) "Jack Dempsey" wrote in message news:3C49F884.4BA2D87B@georgetown.edu... > Anyone seen/worked on one? Are there any plans to support SSH natively > in the next versions of Ruby? > > Thanks! > Jack I've brought this up myself. Nothing like Net::SSH::Perl, if that's what you mean, though maybe you can convince Ben Trott to port it (but I doubt it). I'm assuming you don't just want a pretty wrapper around a system call to ssh or scp. Note that this is no easy task. Even Ben's module requires a few external modules for SSH1 support, and it requires *a lot* of external modules, in addition to the pari math library, for SSH2 support. It takes me about 2 hours to get everything installed if I want both SSH1 and SSH2 support in Perl. This has me thinking... Perhaps it's time to set up the "Ruby Foundation". Perl has one. Maybe O'Reilly or Addison-Wesley would be interested. If nothing else, we could set up a PayPal account for a mythical "Ruby" user that Matz, or whomever, could use as a floating "grant" of some type. Or perhaps we could set up a pseudo-user for each module we would like to see added/ported. In other words, we could add ssh@ruby.org as the PayPal user, which would be assigned to a real person, who would be the HPIC (head programmer in charge). The project could then be put out on SourceForge (or wherever), where others could contribute if more than one person was required, and contributors would automatically be put on the ssh@ruby.org mailing list. When debates arise, the HPIC will have the final say. Of course I realize that questions will come up. So, here's my list of questions that will undoubtedly arise, and my answers: 1) Who decides who's in charge? Whoever volunteers first. Matz's blessing would be nice, I'm sure. Remember, if you don't like (or are unsure about) the person in charge, you can always simply *not pay any money*. You can always help out, as well. 2) Who gets the money? The HPIC gets it. Tough cookies. If the HPIC wants to share the wealth with contributors, it will be strictly optional. I'm not even going to bother replying about "fairness" or listen to any whining on this, so don't bug me about it. Besides, we're probably not talking about a great deal of money here (if any). 3) Will there be a monetary limit per account? No, but remember that PayPal isn't FDIC insured. 4) How long before we should expect our money's worth? Depends on the module, but I would put a 6-month-until-release clause in. If nothing is out by then, I would simply 'relieve' the person of access to that account until I could put someone else in charge. 5) What if the HPIC doesn't deliver and runs with the money? We're only as good as our name. I don't think most people would risk having their name bandied about as being the thief of the Ruby community. Word travels fast - it's called cross-posting. Besides, how much money are we talking here? Personally, I would canvas support for a module in comp.lang.ruby (though perhaps we'll need a comp.lang.ruby.modules) first and then, if it looked like something people wanted, and I decided I wanted to volunteer, I would propose a rough time estimate and provide status reports from time to time, especially if I'm getting behind. 6) What if no one contributes money? Again, tough cookies. No one forced you to volunteer. Maybe your module just isn't that popular. 7) What about licensing? All such projects would be covered by the (insert free license here - GPL, artistic?). That means it's probably unwise to work on your project while at your real job. 8) Isn't this contrary to the whole open-source philosophy? No, not in my opinion. Your code *will* be free once published. We're only paying for the development, not the use. Besides, it's possible that you'll volunteer and no one will pay. If you're really having an issue with taking money - give it to charity or Matz as a grant for Ruby 2.0. 9) What would the minimum contribution be? I wouldn't make a minimum, but I would encourage $25 increments. 10) What about people outside the U.S.? Do contributions automatically get converted? Can they even contribute to PayPal? Um.....not sure at this very moment... Thoughts? Suggestions? Comments? Regards, Dan