On 06/29/2011 09:21 PM, Justin Clark-Casey wrote:
Dear all,
As I'm sure everybody on these lists is aware, OpenSimulator currently
has some restrictions on who can contribute code to the project
(http://opensimulator.org/wiki/Contributions_Policy).
In order to grant a copyright license there needs to be a receiving
entity. To this end, we are in the process of setting up an
organisation known as the Overte Foundation. The Overte Foundation
will receive the copyright licenses and become the official
distributor of OpenSimulator rather than individual core developers.
This will put it in a good position to deal with code origin or other
issues, if any should ever arise.
Once the CLA is complete, the current contribution restrictions to
OpenSimulator will be removed. It will be down to each developer
(including core developers) to affirm via the CLA that they have the
necessary rights over the code that they are contributing.
One advantage of going down the foundation route is that it will also
be able to promote and support OpenSimulator in other ways, quite
possibly incorporating members of the community other than just
developers. The foundation could also extend to cover other
open-source virtual-environment/virtual-world projects and
components. In the short term, though, we will be concentrating on
establishing the CLA.
I will be acting as the first Overte Foundation president, with Diva
as treasurer, Melanie as secretary and Nebadon and Ben as initial
board members. The foundation itself will not directly control
OpenSimulator development - this will remain with the OpenSimulator
team and community as it does now.
Discussion about this is very welcome, whether supporting or
critical. I'm logging off now so will likely answer any points
tomorrow. Of course, other core developers are very welcome to chip in.
Best,
Justin and team, I think this is a great move and a good start. There
are a number of people who have been unable to contribute to the project
and hopefully this will address this abiliity.
I would like to add that an excellent additional goal for the foundation
would be to produce and maintain a roadmap for the elements under its
care. Perhaps even a process for how a project is included, how it
moves between stages, etc.
For OpenSim itself I think the project has suffered a bit with the
"perpetual alpha" status and discussion towards and the publishing of a
roadmap that moves it out of that state and into some more mature state
would be welcome personally by me. Of course the work is still done by
volunteers but if this move increases contribution level and the
foundation leadership shares vision in the form of a roadmap you may
find these new contributors willing to pitch in to make that vision a
reality.
Those kinds of things of course take time. But I'd hope they could be
considered. In the meantime congratulations on what I see personally as
an excellent first step!
Mike
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