[Opensim-dev] The Future of Open Simulator(?) (UNCLASSIFIED)

Tue Aug 11 16:59:00 UTC 2015

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Projects evolve.

I couldn't begin to estimate the amount of work that has gone into this 
valuable project.  The potential for technical and economic success is 
profound and I see a bright future for the Open Simulator.  That said, I fear 
we are at a crossroads at this time with this project.

It is unclear at this time what the maintainers of the Open Simulator code 
have planned for the project.  Is there a roadmap or some sort of 
goals/objectives you are working against?  What development targets would you 
like to see met in 12, 16, and 24 months from now?

The MOSES project has needs & requirements that we are stepping up and 
supporting with internal development, but we aren't the drivers for the Open 
Simulator project.  We've done our own internal gap analysis and determined 
where in the OS code there should be investment in stability, monitoring, and 
scalability improvements.  In short, we are returning our code to you to 
adhere and abide by applicable derivative source code licensing terms.

I believe the removal of the Overte as a formal governing entity is a mistake 
if you plan to encourage participation from business and government.  The CLA 
was viewed by my organization as a formalized relationship acknowledging the 
legal responsibility of open source code stewardship and use.

If this were simply a hobby, then Overte and the CLA would not be needed. 
However, the Open Simulator is being used by businesses charging money for 
service, by researchers studying human behavior and technical behavior, by 
educators, and more.  Like it or not, you have created a product that needs 
management and attention at a higher level than the ad-hoc method that is 
currently your standard operating procedures.

Project management must evolve.

As projects are started at the grass roots and then emerge as valued 
commodities, the need for different styles of management is required.  A 
project with two active developers is different than a project with 20 or 200. 
If the management does not evolve, then the project will be limited and growth 
is not possible.  I encourage you to think about a new structure that can 
handle influx of large amounts of donated code in a short time.  The kinds of 
investments needed to make this a world class simulator requires you to step 
up and begin project planning.

This is a community effort.

If the community values this work and would like to see it grow or even 
receive maintenance, then the community must voice.  This code does not belong 
in the hands of a gov't agency or corporate entity.  This code belongs in the 
hands of a strong non-profit that can handle grant and contract funds to pay a 
staff of maintainers, code reviewers, testers, and functional area code 
managers.  This could be an Overte spin-off, or even an academic institution 
of some kind.

I've given you a glimpse into what the next 9 months of development for the 
MOSES related Open Simulator issues.  We came in this spring at a time when 
development seemed to be winding down and things were quiet after the 0.8.x 
releases.  What will you do when we reach the logical conclusion of our work? 
What is next for Open Simulator?

I look forward to your feedback and constructive discourse.

v/r -doug

Dr. Douglas Maxwell
Science and Technology Manager
Virtual World Strategic Applications
U.S. Army Research Lab
Simulation & Training Technology Center (STTC)
(c) (407) 242-0209

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

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