[PROPOSAL] Open Source certification

[Russell Nelson]

Robert Levin writes:
 > Coming into the discussion late, I will comment that, to the extent that OSI
 > performs its functions without consulting the community, it can't expect to
 > be considered representative of the community.

I consider us to be following Jon Postel's model.  Jon never seemed to 
consult the community, but boy he sure listened.

 > There were clear, obvious problems with the Apple license, for example. 

Everybody has 20-20 vision in hindsight.  I would point out that Bruce 
was not removed from the board mailing list in a timely manner, and
received a copy of the APSL at the same time we did.  If the problems
were so obvious, why didn't Bruce spot them in time?

 > I think a lot of us would just like to see OSI research more than certify. 
 > I.e., if someone comes to you to wanting to know if their new license is
 > open source, resist the temptation to believe that it will be open source if
 > you rule ex cathedra it's so.  Get input from the broader community, and
 > express your opinions as opinions.

mailto:license-discuss-subscribe at opensource.org .

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