[OSGeo-Discuss] Does Open Source need a supervisory government body?

[P Kishor]

On 1/25/08, Bruce.Bannerman at dpi.vic.gov.au
<Bruce.Bannerman at dpi.vic.gov.au> wrote:
>
> IMO:
>
>
> Sorry for the inflamatory subject heading. I'm hoping to get a few bites
> with my fishing...
>
>
>
> I'm currently reviewing a high level government strategy paper (in draft)
> and intend submitting a formal response.
>
> I'd like to see some discussion on the subject by my respected colleagues
> prior to making the submission.
>
>
> The gist of the comment in the draft strategy is something like:
>
> "Open Source approaches to software development will be most effective if
> some form of central authority undertakes the role of verifying
> contributions and providing quality control."
>
>

would SE Linux be an example of where a govt. authority
verified/quality controls a particular quality of an open source
project?

http://www.nsa.gov/selinux/



>
>
> My initial reaction and response to this is something like:
>
> "This is a misreading of how Open Source works.
>
> Successful Open Source Projects typically have software of superior quality.
> This is usually due to there being many developers who have access to the
> software for QA purposes.
>
> Any attempt to impose a central authority from outside of Open Source
> projects would be rebuffed vigorously and result in a probably irrepairable
> relationship between that party and the project(s) involved.
>
> The most successful centralised Open Source authority is probably the Apache
> Foundation (http://www.apache.org/) which is behind a wide range of projects
> including the Apache Web Server, probably the most widely used Web Server on
> the Internet. The Foundation pioneered the concept of 'Meritocracy', where
> people earn respect and are given greater responsibility for projects based
> on their past contributions and 'merit'. The Foundation grew from within the
> Project. It was not imposed on the Project. They have developed an enviable
> reputation for spawning, incubating and fostering robust Open Source
> Projects that routinely produce high quality software.
>
> Nearly two years ago, an organisation called the Open Source Geospatial
> Foundation (OSGEO,  http://www.osgeo.org/) was formed based on the Apache
> ethos, to provide similar support for Open Source Spatial applications. They
> currently have a number of prominent spatial projects in Incubation with a
> number of other equally capable projects waiting for the next vacancy for
> incubation."
>
>
> OK, over to you. I'm interested in all points of view on this issue.
>
>
> Bruce Bannerman
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Puneet Kishor http://punkish.eidesis.org/
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies http://www.nelson.wisc.edu/
Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo) http://www.osgeo.org/