Comment 46 for bug 87122

The problem with this project is that it hasn't ever been a truly open
development process. The source code that is released and available to
everyone under GPL (currently version 3.6) is not the same as the one
Novell uses. Novell has a private development branch that they haven't
opened up. So users will report bugs and Novell fixes them, but then they
don't release the source quickly for the latest version.

This is why the coummunity hasn't taken the code and made it an open
project, because no one wants to take on a project where bugs are getting
fixed and features are getting added and then possibly being released or
not. So the project has sat stagnant. Several developers have asked for
Novell to clarify their position on the project. We wanted to know if
Novell plans to keep developing it, if they plan to leave it closed
source, or release it open source. If they plan on keeping their branch
closed for good, then developers, could, for example take the code that
has been GPL'd and run with it in a community project as a fork. If
Novell plans on opening up to the community their inside process, that
would be welcomed too.

When the community wanted clarification on the future status
of the ifolder project, Novell responded on the developer mailing list
with this:

"Sorry for no activity on the bug. With the feedback we have received
from many of you in the community, we have been working on stabilizing the
various modules in iFolder product which has been a long drawn activity.
Thanks for your patience. Novell has been looking at various options to
take this product forward. While we go through this process, appreciate
your support and patience."

and then a few months later (Jan 09) one of the Novell people said this:
https://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=362541#c25
     Based on your commitment to have XXXX spearhead the connections with
     the community, and his efforts to help drive a vibrant community for
     both Kablink and iFolder, we are aligned to take the newer iFolder
     code (3.7) and open source it. So, officially we support open
     sourcing iFolder. We are aligned, and as such XXXX and I will inform
     the PMs and Development of that plan. I would ask that XXXX lead the
     effort to bring the teams together and perhaps kick off the new
     direction - perhaps build some team unity around the effort. We'll
     need, at least initially, the engagement of PM, Development, Legal,
     Product Mktg,and potentially operations, etc.

So it looks like there may be hope.

Rumor has it that Novell plans to make this an open project. As of today,
a change was made on ifolder.com that states: "Stay Tuned for some Good
News from Novell :-) Look for it during Web 2.0 Expo in San Francisco
coming up March 31, 2009". So *something* is going on.

I look forward to seeing where Novell goes with it and what kind of
announcement they make. There are those willing to step up and help in
the development effort if Novell makes this a truly open community
project.

Mike Taylor