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

[Ed McNierney]

In particular (to Michael's last comment), your Subject inserts the word
"government" where it does not appear in your "gist of the comment"
summary, and that's rather a significant distinction.  Which is it?

 

-          Ed

 

Ed McNierney

Chief Mapmaker

Demand Media / TopoZone.com

73 Princeton Street, Suite 305

North Chelmsford, MA  01863

Phone: 978-251-4242, Fax: 978-251-1396

ed at topozone.com <mailto:ed at topozone.com> 

 

From: discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org
[mailto:discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] On Behalf Of Michael P. Gerlek
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 5:29 AM
To: OSGeo Discussions
Subject: RE: [OSGeo-Discuss] Does Open Source need a supervisory
governmentbody?

 

Bruce-

 

Without having seen the sentences on either side of the one you quote, I
think I'd argue that the author is not wrong in his statement: is not
what we here call a PSC, and indeed the OSGeo Foundation itself, an
embodiment of "some form of central authority"?

 

..which is not to say your own arguments are wrong, obviously -- it just
may be that you're reading something stronger into what the author
actually had in mind?

 

-mpg

 

	 

________________________________

	From: discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org
[mailto:discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] On Behalf Of
Bruce.Bannerman at dpi.vic.gov.au
	Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 12:43 AM
	To: OSGeo Discussions
	Subject: [OSGeo-Discuss] Does Open Source need a supervisory
government body?

	
	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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