Announcing the Potential Extended Long Term Support (ELTS) Program for Mautic: We Need Your Feedback!

A photo of a brown tree which is growing sideways, with a wooden post carved to look like a hand which is supporting one of the large boughs.

We are excited to share some news with you about a project we’re about to kick off! We are considering the implementation of an Extended Long Term Support (ELTS) program for Mautic.

This initiative is designed to provide back-ported security fixes for earlier versions of Mautic that are no longer under active and security support. However, to ensure that this program meets your needs and expectations, we are seeking your valuable input and feedback.

What is an ELTS Program?

The ELTS program would involve an annual fee, in return for which Mautic would provide back-ported security fixes to older versions of the software. This service is aimed at helping organizations that rely on older versions of Mautic maintain a secure environment without the immediate need to upgrade to the latest version.

Examples of Existing ELTS Programs

To give you an idea of how such programs work in other open source projects, here are some examples:

We Need Your Input

To create an ELTS program that truly benefits our community, we need your feedback on several key aspects. Consider the following questions and share your thoughts with us. Feel free to share any other ideas you might have - the questions are just a starting point!

Service Expectations

What specific features and services would you expect from an ELTS program?
How important is it for your organization to receive back-ported security fixes for older versions of Mautic?
What versions of Mautic would you expect to be supported?

Operational Models

How do you think the ELTS program should operate?
Should Mautic have a dedicated paid team to work on back-ports and apply patches?
Should Mautic provide a private repository with patches for users to apply themselves?
Should Mautic issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) and allow single or multiple providers to offer the service?

Implementation and Management

What would be the most critical factors for you in choosing to subscribe to the ELTS program?
How frequently would you expect updates and patches to be released?

Additional Thoughts

Are there any other considerations or suggestions you have for the ELTS program?

How to Provide Your Input

The call for input will be open until the 13th September. We encourage all community members to share their views and suggestions. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us design a program that meets your needs and supports the continued security and stability of Mautic.

Ways to Submit Your Input

Comment: Join the discussion on the consultation
Email: For private inquiries, email us at [email protected] (please use the comment method by default).
Slack: Join the discussion in the #ELTS channel for general chat about this project (get an invite) and join #wg-elts to join the working group.

Thank you for your time and contributions. Together, we can create a robust and effective ELTS program that benefits the entire Mautic community.