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

[Justin Clark-Casey]

I won't comment much over future direction.  However, Overte was never a
governing entity, it was set up only to manage CLAs and maybe some other
things in the future (which never got realized).  Power over development
direction has always been with the developers.

CLAs for open-source projects tend to come from corporations running those
projects that are very worried about getting sued.  The vast majority have
no such structures.  It is very debatable whether anything other than the
open-source license is needed.

And there are many different project structures out there.  Linux, for
example, is controlled by a single individual who, along with a group of
authorized lieutenants, controls everything that goes into the codebase.
That is an evolution since Linus used to be the sole committer (and got
overwhelmed by it).

The direction of evolution is not inevitably to some managing
organization.  Or at the very least, the developers much always be in
charge of what happens to the codebase.


On Tue, Aug 11, 2015 at 5:59 PM, Maxwell, Douglas CIV USARMY ARL (US) <
douglas.maxwell3.civ at mail.mil> 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
>
>
>
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>
>
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