See the collaboration page on our web site. If you're interested, you may become a member.
Note that although design and implementation of a computing system is a complex task, you don't need have all the knowledge before you join: you may begin by participating into the Review subproject that strives to detect and isolate the best of what Computer Science has to offer on the subject.
You can start by browsing and enhancing the Tunes CLiki, with the Learning Lounge being a good place where to learn, and where to help other people learn by contributing your feedback.
Other places to learn (not part of our project) include LAMBDA, the Ultimate weblog and the Open Directory Project.
We don't currently have anything like management, or a development process, or anything. Everyone is basically free to code what one wants, with the basic constraints that
We've succeeded to avoid waste of time on internal disagreements, thanks to a charter that defines the mutual relations between members. The basic rule is that in case of a disagreement, the one who writes the code ultimately decides (if you want things your way, and the coder disagrees, just write your own version). The result is that people who still have strong disagreements just leave the project as freely as they joined, possibly splitting a new project out of the same free software base. Since everything published by the project is freely available, no one loses anything at joining and leaving.
No, we're not incorporated in any country. We are just an informal free association of persons over the Internet. We do not have any official existence, as recognized by any government. On the other hand, we do not officially recognize any government, either, so we're mostly even with them.
Now, we're currently trying to startup a company that would be a haven for TUNES development. If you feel you can help, contact Faré by e-mail. We're also intending to setup a not-for-profit organization (foundation or institute) that would foster development of TUNES and reflective free software systems in general; contact Tril by e-mail if you want to help.
As a short answer, you should consult our Activities page for up-to-date information.
On the administrative side, we're always looking for people and tools who can help us collaborate better and be more productive. The mailing-list and CVS tree are well-integrated into the web server, but we'd like further integrate the web site into an interactive database of version structured documents (especially the Review subproject).
As far as theory goes, I (Faré) am working on the theorical foundations of reflection. We're also following progress from people like Brian Rice. Otherwise, we're following general progress in CS research through our Review subproject.
Implementation of the system goes in two parallel ways:
On the one hand, Tril is building a prototype for the HLL, and Faré ought to be writing an open compiler for a Lisp dialect.
On the other hand tcn is implementing in i386 assembly and FORTH retro, a first sketch of the low-level bricks needed for an OS.
We don't have a well-defined language specification, even less a compiler, so Don't hold your breath(TM).
Still then, we hope all the good ideas that we have accumulated are already an interesting reading to those who want to implement a new system. And of course, feel free to help TUNES become a reality!