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

[Terry Ford]

I agree.
I think all of these points are very good and should be considered.

I would be most willing to take part in some sort of committee or group 
should one be formed.
I think the future of OpenSim is great, but does need some sort of 
management.

I think a group, which gets thoughts and ideas from those working 
closest (devs, educators, grid owners, etc.) with OpenSim would do well.
This group could then set goals based on the input from these various 
areas and the users.

Just thoughts, but I think some form of non biased management is needed 
to set goals and to help steer this project.
I think there are many working on this project who take it very 
seriously, while others do it for fun, but all are limited by the time 
available to participate.

Very good topic for discussion though.

Terry Ford
aka: Butch Arnold



On 8/11/2015 12:59 PM, Maxwell, Douglas CIV USARMY ARL (US) wrote:
> 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
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Opensim-dev mailing list
> Opensim-dev at opensimulator.org
> http://opensimulator.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/opensim-dev

-- 
---------------------
*Terry Ford*
DigiWorldz Grid
http://digiworldz.com
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://opensimulator.org/pipermail/opensim-dev/attachments/20150811/83869088/attachment-0001.html>