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

Thu Aug 13 14:13:52 UTC 2015

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Can someone explain to me why the core developers insist on control of the 
code, but refuse to manage the project?  I ask again:  what are your plans for 
the future of Open Simulator?  It's ok to say you don't have any, let's make 
some!

I'll throw out some ideas based on the MOSES goals and objectives:

1)  Scale limitations lifted.  We need a system that is governed by its 
available hardware and network resources, not bound by software limits.

2)  Let's create clear definitions of "stability".

3)  Clear and up-to-date API documentation.

4)  Clear and up-to-date OS deployment guidance under numerous typical network 
topologies.

5)  Bug identification & reduction.

6)  Efficient ray tracing.  Useful for simulation of sensors as well as 
naturalized bot interactions.

7)  N-body physics.  Would be nice to have vehicles that can follow terrain 
and not look like Star Wars land speeders.  Would also be nice to have more 
natural avatar movement rather than the rigid animations we use now.

What are yours?  Anyone?

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

-----Original Message-----
From: opensim-dev-bounces at opensimulator.org 
[mailto:opensim-dev-bounces at opensimulator.org] On Behalf Of Justin Clark-Casey
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2015 7:40 AM
To: opensim-dev at opensimulator.org
Subject: Re: [Opensim-dev] The Future of Open Simulator(?) (UNCLASSIFIED)

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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