By the time this reaches all of you, it's probably not the first time you have read about it.
http://europa.eu.int/ISPO/ida/jsps/index.jsp?fuseAction=showDocument&par...
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
European administrations should share software resources, a report published by IDA says
IDA has released the results of an independent study on promoting the re-use of software owned by public administrations. The study recommends the creation of a software clearing house to which administrations can "donate" software. This facility, which would concentrate on applications specific for the needs of the public sector, could encourage the replication of good practice in eGovernment services.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I haven't had a lot of time, and I've just skimmed the terminology and legal approach parts of the document.
In the terminology section, they explain several terms and give a short sermon on the OSI and the FSF over the discussion the best term to be used.
Evidently, throughout the document, the 'opensource' term is what seemed to be accepted.
It bothers me a little that to explain what is Free Software they resort to list the DFSG and just provide a link to the Free Software definition.
It also says: 'But if you really INCLUDE significant parts of copylefted code in your software, this software must be redistributed under the same license.' providing the GPL as an example.
I don't know if this documents can (or how easily) be revised, but at least this should be rephrased... it's not just a significant part but any part. Whoever does not like it, does not have to use it... if they lost 5000 man/days/month to develop something, they can very well loose the 10 man/days/month that represents the certain smaller and non significant part they want to include, for instance.
I'm sure there are more little problems here and there, but what little I've read seems to indicate that this document may be a very positive step towards the future.
Hugs, rui