I’d like to clarify one issue for your readers, though: Habari’s use of the Apache Software License does not in itself require meritocracy. We chose to follow the meritocracy model set forth by the Apache project itself, but that was a separate decision from choosing to use the Apache Software License.

A project using the GPL — or any other license! — could just as easily follow the meritocracy model.

Finally, while it’s true that discussion and deliberation within Habari might result in some long-running email threads, we think that the transparency and inclusiveness of those discussions are vitally important to our long-term success. Subject-matter experts can weigh in on their area(s) of focus and lend their experience to the conversation. It is our opinion that the final product is better for this: design and development aren’t left to the personal whim of a couple of people; it provides a very clear opening for folks to further participate in Habari; and we have a thoroughly documented history of how we arrived at decisions which interested parties can review later.