Linux in Government: The Government Open Code Collaborative (Linux Journal) [LWN.net]

Tom Adelstein writes about the Government Open Code Collaborative or GOCC.gov, on Linux Journal. "As so many people have said, "Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come." And GOCC.gov is an idea whose time is long overdue. Open-source advocates attempting to initiate legislation and fight the battles on the floors of the various Houses, only to discover the political might and opposition of Microsoft, now have an alternative. State agencies now can download software for free and use it to create a cohesive and standard government infrastructure."

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The Government Open Code Collaborative: less than satisfying

Posted Dec 3, 2004 19:38 UTC (Fri) by Max.Hyre (subscriber, #1054) [Link]

Mr. Adelstein's article is generally down on the GOCC, for good reason. In addition to the bureaucratic problems he covers, looking around the site, I noticed some telling details.

It definitely suggests they haven't gotten this ``Free Software'' thing down yet, when the suggestion to ``[r]ead the GOCC Operating Agreement'' brings up a dialog box saying

You have chosen to open
GOCC
which is a: Microsoft Word Document

Further, they control distribution by saying:

Code can be designated for access by Members only[;] by Members and Observers[;] or by Members, Observers, and the general public.

True, most Free Software programs may then be redistributed freely by the receipients, but this shows that even in the little things, their hearts are in the wrong place.

first step is a great step

Posted Dec 3, 2004 23:57 UTC (Fri) by ccyoung (guest, #16340) [Link]

I think the Members Only is a carrot to try to get more people to cooperate. Also, many government execs simply do not like showing anything to the public, hence the Government Only to appease them.

I think it's best of us to praise small steps. I have worked with government employees on several projects. I have no doubt it probably took a lot of initiative and probably a lot of courage for some select individuals to get this far. IMHO the last thing we should be doing is criticizing those individuals.

first step is a greatstep

Posted Dec 4, 2004 2:02 UTC (Sat) by Duncan (guest, #6647) [Link]

> I have no doubt it probably took a lot of
> initiative and probably a lot of courage
> for some select individuals to get this far.
> IMHO the last thing we should be doing is
> criticizing those individuals.

Likewise. You wrote what I was thinking.

Duncan