[99592] in RedHat Linux List
Re: Preserving the Information Ecosystem
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Eric Bohn)
Sun Nov 15 21:57:39 1998
From: "Eric Bohn" <ebohn@apci.net>
To: <redhat-list@redhat.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 21:01:09 -0600
Resent-From: redhat-list@redhat.com
Reply-To: redhat-list@redhat.com
I snipped the following from your article:
"More important are the technical languages which make up the syntax of the
computer languages we use to write software and the protocols we use to
communicate over the Internet. The fact that we have open standards, which
are 'owned' by no one, make it possible for this information ecosystem to
exist. One cannot communicate without them."
"Should this keeper-ship be formalized by either the private or public
sector? I could imagine a non profit organization, who's purpose would be to
oversee that the information ecosystem stay clean by promoting access to it
and further developing protocols and languages which are now open. It could
also be an institution where OSS projects could be based; the CVS trees,
master mirror sites etc. This non profit organization would be over seen by
a board of directors made up of CEO's of a hand full of leading companies
who promote and make a profit off of OSS projects."
Regarding these statements, I also could imagine a private non-profit org
being the keepers of the information ecosystem, and it's not a pretty sight.
Even if you establish management to CEO's from "leading companies", these
CEO's will devise strategies and act to benefit their own (possiblely
collective) interests. These CEO's work for profit making companies and
therefore are motivated to bolster their stock -- not serve in the public's
best interests. This is especially true in an unregulated environment.
With both parties in the the government intent on cutting back the size and
role of govt, we have already seen a detrimental impact on industry
regulation.
IMHO, the only way to insure a truely open information ecosystem is to
entrust it's management to a body with no other motivation than to serve the
public good. Such an organization should be staffed with individuals that
have proven no bias towards private corporate concerns. The keeper
organization must not be reliant upon their work for financial well being.
Now where would you find such an oranization outside of the govt?
This really should be of concern to the general public since it is likely
that M$'s of this world would be able to bring to bear enormous amounts of
resources to direct the evolution of the vitally important information
ecosystem. It's also likely that the consequences may be barely noticable
to the general public however detrimental they may truely be to OSS or
possibly to unrestricted communication in general.
- Eric
-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen Adler <adler@ssadler.phy.bnl.gov>
To: redhat-list@redhat.com <redhat-list@redhat.com>
Date: Saturday, November 14, 1998 2:13 PM
Subject: Preserving the Information Ecosystem
>Redhat'ers,
>
>Take a break, you'll eventually get your bugs fixed, so in the mean time,
>check out what I've written on the open source phenomena. I've written
>an article titled "Preserving the Information Ecosystem". If you do
>have time to read it, and notice any grammer and spelling mistakes, I
>would appriciate the input. And please send comentaries on the text
>if you so feel inclined. Thanks.
>
>Steve.
>
>http://ssadler.phy.bnl.gov/~adler/OSS/OSS.html
>
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