In my last post I mentioned that Entiva is going to host a forum for open discussion about topics related to the open source software industry. So after spending the weekend contemplating (along with actually configuring the software on our site) how to execute the forum I began to better formalize a vision for it. After doing so, several things became immediately apparent.
First of all, the forum will be geared towards and will concentrate on the non-technical aspects of open source software. And even though anyone is invited to participate, if you want to find out how to install MySQL on an Ubuntu distribution, this won't be the place to look for the answer. Part of the reason I think this is the best initial route is that there are more than enough outlets that are dedicated to the purely technology end of open source. It's more than easy to find places to discuss how to configure the Spring Framework with JBoss 4.0, but not as many places for the non-technical crowd to get a high level view of Spring and its qualities. So while we have no problem encouraging dialogue related to open source at every level, the forum will be primarily for those who are more interested in the business end of the spectrum.
Secondly, the fact that we're using the forum to promote dialogue between Entiva analysts and the 'outside world' will be a backdrop to the fact that we're hosting the forum. The intended purpose of the forum isn't to promote us as an analyst firm but to literally provide a platform where topics related to open source software can be discussed from a non-technical perspective. Initially, Crystal Chapman and myself (both Entiva analysts) will be responsible for seeing the forum community through its formative stages through hands-on participation (proposing topics, answering questions, inviting members, etc.).
Furthermore, we're going to look to do everything possible to ensure that the format stays community oriented. That means no matter how big or small the member list is, all subject specific agendas will be kept in check. This will most likely remain a non-issue, as I'm not expecting this to grow into some kind of Internet traffic hog that's attracting thousands of daily page views. However, the last thing that needs to happen is for members to twist the direction of the forum from open to implicitly skewed. With all that being said its entirely too early to discuss what-if's, so we're going to finishing getting the forum configured properly so we can open it up.
I'll continue to update this blog with details as they develop...
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