Re: [Koha-devel] Koha Foundation

[Russel Garlick]

MJ Ray wrote:

> If we want a minimum-change host foundation, I still suggest
> we ask to become a project of Software in the Public Interest,
> http://www.spi-inc.org/ - other projects there include PostgreSQL,
> Debian, Fresco, GNUstep and OFTC. Gnome and OSI were projects
> until they set up their own foundations, so we could spin off
> later if there's need/desire to do so.
>
> Comments?

Has anyone had any experience in this environment? Certainly worth 
looking into. Can you do both?

But from what I have seen on their site, SPI sounds like a philanthropic 
 organisation - ie they provide funding and hardware. All nice to have, 
but there are some other goals that we at Katipo are interested in that 
may not be addressed.

<snip from rachel's email>

... The core one though is to make Koha more palatable and 
understandable to bigger public libraries in particular...

They understand that a not for profit organisation would give away 
software but I think are somewhat distrustful of private companies doing 
so. It would fit their "world view" better or something.

...to reassure libraries that Koha is a real going concern...

I see setting up a foundation as a tool for selling an idea to 
libraries, and possibly as a way to ensure the ongoing shared governance 
of the project - which is what clients want I believe

</snip>

How would becoming an SPI project help here? Does anyone know? Or is 
that a question for SPI?

Cheers


--

Russel Garlick
Operations Manager
Katipo Communications
Ph:  +64 4 934 1285
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