FAQ Tag: 2024

  • What is a BDFL and who is it?

    A BDFL, which stands for “Benevolent Dictator For Life,” is an informal title given to influential leaders in open-source software development projects.

    This term typically refers to project founders or primary creators who retain final decision-making authority over the project’s direction and development.

    The concept of BDFL originated in 1995 and is closely associated with the Python programming language community. Guido van Rossum, the creator of Python, was jokingly named the “First Interim BDFL”.

    Key characteristics of a BDFL include:
    1. Ultimate authority on technical decisions
    2. Influence over coding standards and core design philosophies
    3. Veto power over proposed changes
    4. Collaborative work with the community while maintaining a consistent vision

    Notable examples of BDFLs include:
    • Guido van Rossum (Python)
    • Linus Torvalds (Linux kernel)
    • Larry Wall (Perl)
    • Yukihiro Matsumoto (Ruby)
    • Samuel Smith (Keri)

    It’s important to note that the BDFL title is honorary and based on community trust. If a BDFL were to act irresponsibly, the project could be forked.

  • If sponsors were dropping out, would you let this happen?

    We would do everything possible to bind sponsors to us within the objectives and design of the foundation.

    Who are the sponsors who are dropping out?

    Please provide the name and the lost opportunity in US $.

  • Bitcoin has Bitcoin Improvement Proposals. Why doesn’t KERI have a similar mechanism?

    KIPs – KERI Improvement Protocols so that there will also be space for market-driven instead of only technically driven.

    Good proposal; we’ll extend the current KIDS in this direction.

  • Why are there veto rights for the foundation’s chairman and the technical manager?

    In terms of execution, they are the only roles you can currently translate operationally into functions.
    See the other parts of the website to dive deep into their competence profiles that lay out their task, responsibilities, and rights as foundation managers.

    Besides the managers of the Foundation, whose rights are laid out in the Operational Agreement (Feb 2025: status concept) and the Memorandum of Understanding (Feb 2025: status concept), we have the members of the steering L3C.

    There are no veto rights for the members of the L3C should there be a draw in the votes of the L3C, and Sam Smith is still a member of the L3C; he gets the privilege to add one extra member vote to get out of the stalemate.


  • How can I offer one of my developers to help code KERI?

    Look for existing projects on our website or submit your proposal. Within a foundation project, roles will be selected for assignment, candidates will be assessed, and officers will be appointed and paid for their deliverables.

    Example calculation

    Suppose you suggest that Developer Y code with us. Great idea and a lovely proposal!
    Suppose we agree on Y’s suitability for any vacant project roles (it could be your own freshly established KERI foundation project).

    In that case, we hire Y for the same amount that Y’s gross salary involves.

    The extra step is needed to keep the foundation independent of individuals and their bosses.

  • How do we pay attention to urgent matters in country X?

    The KERI Foundation has a long-term and global scope. However, can direct part of the team and its agenda to a local scope, directly funded by interest groups for this particular local scope.

  • Why is the foundation concerned with other programming languages of KERI implementations?

    Security and reputation are key here.

    A responsible tech team should manage this auditing/steering under Technical Managers’ leadership.

    Compliance and API compatibility with the reference installation should be the deciding factors. More of those key criteria could be noted in the organizational regulations.

    There will be a tech team managing all technical and security issues. Under the Technical Managers’ leadership, but not on a day-to-day basis. This role will be gatekeeping to ensure all operations are aligned with the strategic objectives and vision.

    Technical Management of the KERI Foundation is appointed to Sam Smith as long as he wishes to perform this role and is capable of doing so. Because of his special background as the KERISuite inventor and co-founder of the KF, implementations should be in full width and non-negotiably vetoable by him for as long as he’s in a Technical Management position.
    Apart from him, no other individual in this future position will have a veto right.

  • Is there a sales tiger or a fundraiser needed to close the deals of funding?

    We have quite a few people on Zoom calls who have these capabilities.

    Yes, we’ve described the fundraiser in a competence profile, so we’ll get there to install an officer for this task and consult the current team of participants when the position is vacant.

    The status of early 2025 is that the L3C + Operational Agreement + MoU legal structure was set up by the end of 2024.

    Foremost, we need the organization, the donor contract, and the bank account because otherwise, any deal can’t be closed. Of course, enthusiasts can always start the preparatory/exploratory work.

    Our plan is to get the funding rolling, immediately start the development of the 5Ws with this, and raise more funds to support developers who completed the 5Ws. Only then will KERI adoption be sustainable.

    A sales tiger selling projects too early invokes a large user base too-early, and this might backfire.

  • I want to donate, but I’d like to know upfront what will you do with my money?

    Thank you for considering donating. This is how we onboard donors:

    1. We formulate portfolios in which money will flow
    2. We accept donors who want to sign a donor contract matching the portfolio
    3. An obligation to pay the donorship money is established via a donor contract

    Look at the projects currently at hand and the vacant positions we’re filling in on this site!

    We’re ready to accept donors from March 2025. Because we can’t make a deal, we can talk to donors in a non-binding way.

  • What about money flowing to another foundation that supports KERI?

    We have to keep the community together as well as we can. But not at all cost. How important do you think it is to operate as a unit?

    Anyone would prefer to be “Sam Smith Certified,” and to get there; any donor has to establish a connection with the one and only KERI foundation supported by the inventor.

    We consider any other foundation that claims to be the KERI foundation a business. We will happily and in a friendly way offer services to them and could coopetively move forward.