Why We Do What We Do

I am often asked why the OSL does what it does and what it’s main purpose is. When I tell them “we’re here to promote and develop communities around open source projects” they just sort of look at me sideways and say, “seriously, what are you guys in this for?”

Of all the places an open source project could land, IMHO, the best is a University. Universities are here specifically to create knowledge and teach (in that order). There is another component that is often over looked and I believe that is “to build communities” as well. Every successful University is very good at building not only its alumni community but also attracting other successful communities; microbiologists, physicists, etc. In this same vein, the OSL hopes to reach out open source communities in an effort not only to help augment those communities but in the hopes of building the “community of communities” that will help each community get so much further than they would alone.

Yes, we are here to help open source communities. In addition, we want to provide great learning opportunities for our students. One of our students is even going to be doing an internship at the Mozilla Foundation this summer. That’s amazing. Could you imagine being 19 years old again and getting to work for arguably the hottest open source project on the planet? You’d nearly kill for that opportunity.

Let’s face it, I don’t know many people that participate in just one open source project. People are often associated with two or more projects at a time; some of them even compliment each other. By bringing the most talented, energetic and passionate projects here to the OSL, we hope to continue this tradition by creating an environment where these communities can interact and cross-polinate. The “best of breed” ideas will surface and help change the face of the open source world.

Finally, we at the OSL seek to shorten the “open source transaction time” … get innovation from the developer out to the end-user as quickly as possibly. Shortening that time-to-market with ideas and innovation and being able to get it out quickly and reliably is another reason we exist.

For those of you that don’t believe we are doing this for, and in the name of the community, I’m sorry. I’m sorry that you cannot believe that someone understands the importance of open source as you do and more importantly is willing to find resources and dedicate them to these heroic volunteer efforts all for the good of everyone involved.