On 1/25/08, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 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 > > > > > > > > Notice: > This email and any attachments may contain information that is personal, > confidential, > legally privileged and/or copyright. No part of it should be reproduced, > adapted or communicated without the prior written consent of the copyright > owner. > > It is the responsibility of the recipient to check for and remove viruses. > > If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender by return > email, delete it from your system and destroy any copies. You are not > authorised to use, communicate or rely on the information contained in this > email. > > Please consider the environment before printing this email. > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Discuss mailing list > Discuss@lists.osgeo.org > http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss > > -- 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/ _______________________________________________ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.osgeo.org http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss