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Open Source Project Management Guides?
Jeff Heinen asks: "I was wondering if there exists any documentation (books, websites, etc.) covering the practical matters of organizing and managing an open source project. I'm looking for details about things like communication, organizational structure, versioning and release management, etc. I've looked around and so far haven't found anything really useful. "
I haven't seen anything that uses the "open source" moniker, but I've run across a few books and articles that talk about "virtual teams" which may be of help. (Unfortunately, I haven't taken the time to read them so I don't have specific references handy.) VTs are usually geographically dispersed, so they face many of the same communications issues that open source projects face.
While the communications issue throws a few curves into the situation, open source projects really are about software development (SD). As such, there are quite a few good books out there that will help you learn to manage SD efforts. The best practical guide I've ever seen to SD project management is Steve McConnell's "Software Project Survival Guide." It doesn't claim to be the "one true way" to manage SD projects, but he relies on a lot of academic research as well as his own experience to come up with a comprehensive method that actively works to minimize risk and improve communications amongst all parties. I highly, highly recommend it.
As for managing people, while McConnell does provide quite a few good pointers, its written from the point of view of someone who already understands the technical person's mindset. If you have to work with Pointy-Haired Bosses, I'd recommend reading DeMarco & Lister's "Peopleware." It provides a lot of sound business arguments that PHBs will understand for why your project and its people need adequate resources, quiet offices, and different motivators/rewards.
Good luck!