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

[Wilfred L. Guerin]

The document I prepared in response to your inquiry, outlining
intentional and explicit compromises and undermining "capabilities" of
criminal gang infiltrated system design was just destroyed, as is the
majority of the memory and data on the pda device, as it was
explicitly attacked by the threats outlined in the document. As this
point it is still inoperative. Such explicit terrorist harboring
back-doors mandated by american FCC policy must be eradicated at all
costs, as a thorough and well written document, along with all the
other content on the device, were destroyed by an alternate government
sponsored attack. (wire compromise on pda/cell device explicitly
targeting the response to you.)

wilfredguerin at gmail.com




On Jan 25, 2008 3:43 AM,  <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."
>
>
>
>
> 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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