- GeMa is a paradigm, a workflow and a toolset for modeling, reasoning, and communicating about computer technology topics.
- The name GeMa is short for Genesis Matrix, the configuration/policy portion that controlled the action/effect of the Genesis device.
- The project was named Genesis Matrix for quite some time before the Terraform project was named/announced, but the notional coherence in the names is appreciated.
- This project started with the goal of using Salt to create managed and reproducible systems.
- Initially this meant individual computers but over time was extended significantly beyond that.
- GeMa Paradigm is an organizing/coordinating discipline, built around operationalizing Saltstack.
- There is no shortage of examples of impressive solutions implemented using Salt since it’s flexible enough to be useful for nearly anything but in reviewing these examples I started to ask, how practically feasible would it be to mix and match the parts I like among all these outstanding example in a managed and idiomatic way.
- A design workstation led to the desire for strong conventions to speed deliveries.
- An attempt is made to communicate Principles, Policies, and Practices.
- GeMa remains proudly proto-matter free.