T. WoutersNov 8, 2022

A (lengthy) Mastodon #introduction.

I'm Thomas, a Python Core Developer and Googler from Amsterdam (NL). I'm on the Python Steering Council and the #PSF Board of Directors, and I'm the 3.12/3.13 Release Manager. I hang out on #python on libera (IRC) as well. I also have #cats (#Savannah and #Bengal).

I usually toot/boost about #python, especially #governance and non-profit support of #python. A little thread with examples (and cat pictures at the end)👇

Show threadT. WoutersNov 8, 2022

The #Python Steering Council is the 5-person body that governs the Python language and its main implementation (CPython). Its "constitution" is PEP 13 (https://peps.python.org/pep-0013/). I talk about it a little in this PyCon US 2022 keynote: https://youtu.be/m2R5shF1pLc

Governance matters so much, especially for something as global and universal as Python. We need it to be stable, reliable, forward-looking, welcoming and diverse.

PEP 13 – Python Language Governance | peps.python.org

This PEP defines the formal governance process for Python, and records how this has changed over time. Currently, governance is based around a steering council. The council has broad authority, which they seek to exercise as rarely as possible.

Python Enhancement Proposals (PEPs)
Show threadT. Wouters
The SC governs by consensus, so we try not to make the final call on things. Even so, we have final say in a lot of things, and we take that very seriously, and very carefully. Even long before Guido stepped down and we got the SC, many decisions were made by consensus rather than the BDFL (Guido). We talk a lot amongst Core Developers and Python users to figure out the consensus. The 5 SC members have quite different points of view, fortunately.
Nov 8, 2022 at 12:37pmWeb
Show threadT. WoutersNov 8, 2022
When I say governance needs to be stable and reliable, I don't mean it should be set in its ways. I mean its core values should be something people can rely on. I don't think the SC (or the #PSF) have made these core values entirely clear, although the PSF CoC (https://www.python.org/psf/conduct/) is part of it. We all care about Python, about helping users learn and use Python, about supporting *all kinds* of users, without judgement or gatekeeping. I hope we can improve this!
Python Community Code of Conduct

The official home of the Python Programming Language

Python.org
Show threadT. WoutersNov 8, 2022
The Python Software Foundation (#PSF) is the non-profit foundation behind Python. It holds copyrights and trademarks, governs the license, and serves as a fundraising vessel. It's existed since 2003, but it's really grown in the last ten years (as has Python). It employs ~8 staff members and a few contractors to support PyCon US every year, fiscal sponsorees, PyPI, and development of Python itself.
Show threadT. WoutersNov 8, 2022
I've been on the PSF Board for 6-ish years, as Vice-Chair and Chair, and I was the interim General Manager for about 6 months (to support the staff while we were between Executive Directors). I can talk for hours how awesome the PSF is. The staff, the volunteers, PyCon US, funding local communities, diversity, outreach, so much more. I will just point to the 2021 Annual
Impact Report, which I think covers a lot of it: https://www.python.org/psf/annual-report/2021/
2021 PSF Annual Report

The official home of the Python Programming Language

Python.org
Show threadT. WoutersNov 8, 2022
I'm also the Release Manager for Python 3.12 and 3.13. I can't explain why in a few toots, but if you think I overextended myself, yeah, well, probably. Even so, this work matters to me so I volunteered. Also, Google supports me in all this work. RM work is mostly about quality assurance. I want 3.12 and 3.13 to be as free from disruptions as possible, while delivering new features and performance enhancements, and performing necessary deprecations.
Show threadT. WoutersNov 8, 2022
Python uses a yearly release cycle, and 3.12's release schedule is described in PEP 693 (https://peps.python.org/pep-0693/). The first alpha was released last week, the first beta (feature freeze) will happen in May, and the final release is (hopefully) on October 2nd 2023. I will be screaming for people to start releasing binary wheels for Python 3.12 when the first release candidate happens, July/August, so everyone is ready for 3.12.0.
PEP 693 – Python 3.12 Release Schedule | peps.python.org

Python Enhancement Proposals (PEPs)

Python Enhancement Proposals (PEPs)
Show threadT. WoutersNov 8, 2022
Finally, #cats! I have two #SavannahCats (Akio and Demi) and two #Bengals (Kaya and Jamilla). Akio is a giant 22lbs tomcat, pictured here with Demi when she was a kitten. Savannahs and Bengals have a lot of energy, and can get very destructive when they're bored. We take both Akio and Kaya (and sometimes Jamilla) on daily walks around our garden. (Kaya also sprays, despite being neutered, so he lives in a granny annex with large catio rather than in the main house.)
Show threadT. WoutersNov 8, 2022
More pictures of Akio the #Savannah tomcat.
Show threadT. WoutersNov 8, 2022
More pictures of Demi the adorable #Savannah #kitten, mostly with Akio. She loves Akio, isn't quite sure she trusts us unless we have food, and is terrified of other humans.
Show threadT. WoutersNov 8, 2022

Jamilla, #bengal puss, who is hard to photograph if she isn't curled up on your lap. She is the boss of Akio, as you can see in these videos:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Y5PYMc25kAseR8mQ7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/nGmfLMn3ewCL5SNG9

New video by Thomas Wouters

Google Photos
Show threadT. WoutersNov 8, 2022

And finally, Kaya, our #Bengal tomcat, who sprays and destroyed our previous home but we still love dearly. (Don't take in cats you're not sure you can handle, please! Bengals and Savannahs can be a nightmare you can't handle them.)

We take Kaya for daily walks so he can pee outside, now. He's much happier.