Incubation Policy
This document is the reference for the policies and procedures put in place by the Incubator PMC for the incubation process.
The document makes use of the terms MUST, MUST NOT, REQUIRED, SHALL, SHALL NOT, SHOULD, SHOULD NOT, RECOMMENDED, MAY and OPTIONAL. Where these are capitalized, we use these terms as defined in RFC 2119.
Like many policy documents, this is not the most fun thing to read. Our Cookbook provides more concrete information on the incubation process.
Scope
This document contains the minimum requirements and processes that Podlings undergoing incubation MUST meet.
This document does not apply outside the process of incubation.
Relationship to Other Documents
This document is the set of requirements for incubation. Where other documents say something different, this document is correct.
Changing this Document
The Incubator PMC MUST approve changes to the content of this document.
Podling Reporting
Each Podling in Incubation MUST report to the Incubator PMC. Podlings SHALL report monthly for their first three months, after that quarterly. The Incubator PMC MAY, at their discretion, ask a Podling to report more frequently. The PPMC, with the mentor or mentors' help, MUST produce a report for the Incubator PMC detailing overall progress toward graduation and any issues the Podling has encountered.
Podling Constraints
While in Incubation, Podlings are constrained in the actions they can undertake.
Website
There are restrictions on where Podlings can host their websites and what branding they can use on them.
Consult the Podling Websites Guide for the current policies on Podling websites.
Branding
There are restrictions about how Podlings can use their own and other ASF brands and names.
Consult the Podling Branding Guide for details.
Publicity
There are restrictions about how Podlings can advertise themselves, especially in press releases related to Podlings.
Consult the Podling Publicity Guide for details.
Disclaimers
Podlings MUST include a clear disclaimer on their website and in all documentation, releases and release announcements stating that they are in incubation.
A Podling has a choice of two disclaimers: a standard disclaimer or a work-in-progress disclaimer.
Podlings wishing to use a different disclaimer message MUST have the Incubator PMC approve it before use.
Standard Disclaimer
Podlings wanting to follow all ASF policy on releases SHOULD use the following text for all disclaimers (replace the underlined text as appropriate):
Apache Podling-Name is an effort undergoing incubation at The Apache Software Foundation (ASF), sponsored by the name of Apache TLP sponsor. Incubation is required of all newly accepted projects until a further review indicates that the infrastructure, communications, and decision making process have stabilized in a manner consistent with other successful ASF projects. While incubation status is not necessarily a reflection of the completeness or stability of the code, it does indicate that the project has yet to be fully endorsed by the ASF.
For releases, the text SHOULD be included in a separate DISCLAIMER file stored alongside the NOTICE and LICENSE files.
Work In Progress Disclaimer
A Podling wishing to make releases that may not follow all ASF policy SHOULD use the following disclaimer (replace the underlined text where needed):
Apache Podling-Name is an effort undergoing incubation at The Apache Software Foundation (ASF), sponsored by the name of Apache TLP sponsor. Incubation is required of all newly accepted projects until a further review indicates that the infrastructure, communications, and decision-making process have stabilized in a manner consistent with other successful ASF projects. While incubation status is not necessarily a reflection of the completeness or stability of the code, it does indicate that the project has yet to be fully endorsed by the ASF.
Some of the incubating project’s releases may not be fully compliant with ASF policy. For example, releases may have incomplete or un-reviewed licensing conditions. What follows is a list of issues the project is currently aware of (this list is likely to be incomplete): List of known issues goes here
If you are planning to incorporate this work into your product/project, please be aware that you will need to conduct a thorough licensing review to determine the overall implications of including this work. For the current status of this project through the Apache Incubator, visit: https://incubator.apache.org/projects/Apache Podling-Name.html
For releases, the text SHOULD be included in a separate DISCLAIMER-WIP file stored alongside the NOTICE and LICENSE files.
Releases
See the guidelines for Podling releases for good practices for making releases. The Podling can make non-ASF releases while incubating as long as it is moving towards making ASF releases.
During incubation, PPMC members learn how to govern an ASF project. A PPMC operates like a PMC but reports to the Incubator PMC rather than to the ASF Board. The PPMC release vote ensures that the Podling community participates in producing and reviewing ASF releases. Podlings MUST NOT perform any ASF releases of software without the approval of the Incubator PMC. Because the PPMC cannot make formal decisions on behalf of the ASF, the Incubator PMC provides the binding approval required for a Podling release to become an ASF release.
When a Podling proposes an ASF release, it MUST hold a vote on its public dev list to seek endorsement from the PPMC and MUST request approval from the Incubator PMC on the Incubator’s general list. The PPMC vote and the Incubator PMC vote MAY be conducted sequentially or, at the Podling’s discretion, concurrently. The timing and conduct of the votes MUST follow the applicable requirements of the Apache Voting Process and the ASF Release Policy.
The proposed release is approved only when both of the following requirements have been satisfied:
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At least three PPMC members have voted +1, and there are more +1 than -1 votes from PPMC members.
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At least three Incubator PMC members have cast binding +1 votes, and there are more binding +1 than binding -1 votes.
Only votes from Incubator PMC members are binding for ASF release approval.
Below are examples of the two kinds of release vote requests:
Once both voting requirements have been satisfied, the Podling MAY make the release available to the public under these conditions:
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The release archive(s) MUST include the word "incubating" in the filename.
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The release archive(s) MUST contain a disclaimer (see above), which SHOULD be placed in a DISCLAIMER or DISCLAIMER-WIP file.
Releases for the Podling MUST be distributed through http://www.apache.org/dist/incubator/Podling The Podling MAY choose to distribute approved releases through other channels by following the guidelines here.
Adding PPMC members
Joining the IPMC
As with all PMCs, the IPMC votes on proposed members on the private@incubator list. Any ASF member can ask to be an IPMC member, without a vote, but the IPMC MUST still give notice to the board.
Termination
The Incubator PMC SHOULD notify a Podling of any policy violations. It MAY consider termination of a Podling that does not correct such violations.