Thanks to Michael Gurstein <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> for the reference
to the Halloween document and his comments on Linux.
> What the simulation discussion triggered for me, was an image of a similar
> initiative to develop a map of the global economy with multiple
> independent information sources each of which was feeding into the
> development of a common and commonly useful end product.
This is exactly what I have in mind, if the word "map" is interpreted
quite broadly.
I don't know if there are companies or organizations out there who
could object to this initiative the way Microsoft views Linux, but it
is worth taking precautions, just in case.
I'll try to make sure that any code written for the project is
original and "clean-room" developed, and to that end should discourage
people who work for simulation and modelling companies from
contributing. Data is a more difficult problem, but I'll try to track
data sources and avoid use of questionable material. I think with a
little common sense we should be able to do this without legal
problems.
> He made that OS available to anyone in the world who was interested in
> working on it, for free via the Internet. Thousands of independent
> computer folks (hackers?) took up the challenge and working via the net
> with no central authority have developed Linus' OS into LINUX which is
> now seen as the only real threat to the global hegemony of Microsoft.
I am not expecting much help on this until I've done a bit more work
on it to convince people I'm serious, but yes, I'd like to see it
developed as a collaborative effort, though I don't expect "Thousands
of independent computer folks" to take up the challenge. I certainly
do like the idea of "working via the net with no central authority",
which has worked so well for Linux and GNU software.
dpw
Douglas P. Wilson [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.island.net/~dpwilson/index.html
