[Opensim-users] [Opensim-dev] The Overte Foundation for OpenSimulator

[Justin Clark-Casey]

On 30/06/11 14:19, Mike Chase wrote:
> 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.

Thanks for the encouragement from you and other folks.  Organizing this kind of thing isn't easy but hopefully it will 
pay off.

>
> 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.

Historically, I haven't been keen on a roadmap because there's nobody who can enforce that its goals will be met. 
Everybody's interests are quite different and there's no single company employing developers.  I think it's tricky to 
set targets in that kind of environment, unless they're completely 'aspirational'.

>
> 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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-- 
Justin Clark-Casey (justincc)
http://justincc.org/blog
http://twitter.com/justincc