[OSGeo-Discuss] open-source project site construction

[Cameron Shorter]

On 08/03/11 07:09, Daniel Morissette wrote:
> On 11-03-03 11:54 AM, Robert Hollingsworth wrote:
>>
>> It has occurred to me that it would be useful to create
>> an "Open-Source Project Starter Kit," a file structure
>> consisting of the means to create and maintain a
>> project, with none of the actual content. It's skeleton
>> website definition would simply point at the
>> unpopulated management components.
>>
> [...]
>>
>> Any ideas out there on the feasibility of something like
>> this, how to construct, etc.? I know a starter kit such as
>> this would be most attractive to the GITA audience I'll
>> be speaking to if it as close as possible to being a
>> one-button operation.
>>
>
> Hi Robert,
>
> I think it would be challenging to come up with an "Open-Source 
> Project Starter Kit" that really works. I mean, launching and running 
> an open source project is not only about making the source available 
> under the right project infrastructure and tools, it is also in large 
> part a different way to build and manage software and its community of 
> users and developers, and this knowledge does not come in a box.
>
> The book "Producing Open Source Software" could be a good starting 
> point: http://producingoss.com/
>
> My personal advice to anyone willing to launch and run a successful 
> open source project would be to join and contribute to existing 
> successful open source project for a little while, then try to immerse 
> yourself in the way they do things, and apply those tricks to your 
> project.
>
> Daniel

And I'd extend Daniel's comment to suggest that in 95% of cases, 
someone's contributions are significantly more valuable if they extend 
an existing project rather than start another project and compete for 
users and developers.

-- 
Cameron Shorter
Geospatial Director
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