[Fsatom-comm] Re: Proposal of "Basic text"

[Xavier Gonze]

Dear Konrad and FSatom committee members,

Konrad Hinsen wrote:
>>Here is a first version of the "Basic text"
>>of the FS Atom association.It is formatted as simple text.
>>Any critics, comment, suggestion, addition, is welcome !
> 
> 
> See below... I am also using this opportunity to test our new
> mailing list, if all goes well, everyone should receive two copies
> of this mail.

I got two copies indeed !

> 
> 
>>The advent of rapid means of exchange of software, has helped 
>>the spread of so-called ``Free Software'' (free for freedom, not price), 
>>generally distributed under the GNU licensing scheme.
> 
> 
> I am not sure that "generally" is true, there are popular "more open"
> licensing schemes (e.g. BSD) as well. I also think that the
> term "OpenSource" should be mentioned.

Right, we can have :

"The advent of rapid means of exchange of software, has helped
  the spread of so-called ``Free'' software
  (free for freedom, not price),
  also called ``Open Source'' software,
  often distributed under the GNU licensing scheme."

Gilles had a similar concern. Still, I tried to combine a sentence
with ``libre'' , but it becomes too confused.

> 
> BTW, on the EuroPython conference I learned a bit more about the "Free
> Software" vs. "OpenSource" debate. We had Eric Raymond there, the
> inventor of the term OpenSource, who explained why it's better than
> "Free Software". Others then told me that the origin of discussion is
> simply that Richard Stallman (founder of the FSF) and Eric Raymond
> can't stand each other and each want to become the definitive
> authority on free/open software issues. I think we should stay out
> of this as much as possible.
> 

Yes, of course.

> 
>>2) The purpose of the FSAtom association
> 
> 
> We are not an association in the legal sense. In fact, we aren't
> anything in a legal sense at the moment. I propose a more neutral
> term (perhaps "project") to avoid misunderstandings.

You are right that we aren't anything legal. "Project" is indeed
in the long name that we have chosen
"Free Software Project for Atomic-Scale Simulations".
I guess that we will have to change "project" to something else,
but this should be done later, when we will see if the project
is doing what we expect it to do ! Lets use the name
"project" at every place were I had "association".


I visited your Wiki. I think the idea of having an official
Web site + a Wiki is nice !! It has indeed a lot of advantages,
that you mention briefly. When he will be back,
Miguel will likely comment about this !

I guess we have to let more time for reaction on the basic text,
because different people are on vacation ...
The proposed new version is appended below.

Best regards,
Xavier

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Free Software project for Atomic-scale Computations (version 020712)

1) Introduction

The advent of rapid means of exchange of software, has helped
the spread of so-called ``Free'' software (free for freedom, not price),
also called ``Open Source'' software,
often distributed under the GNU licensing scheme.
While extremely effective in the computer science community,
this scheme is less developped in the field of Atomic-Scale Computations.
Starting a Free Software project is by no means a simple endeavour.
However, it appears as an important step, not only because of the
inherent advantages of the licensing scheme, but also because
it changes the relationship between different
groups of developers, towards a more cooperative spirit.

2) The purpose of the FSAtom project

The Free Software project for Atomic-scale Computation
has the aim to spread the use of the ``Free Software''
concept in the community of Atomic-scale Computation
software developers, to improve the awareness of
modern software engineering concepts, and
to constitute the natural place for interactions
between different groups of developers in this field.

3) Means of action

The FSAtom project should reach this aim by taking
the following actions :
- maintain a Web site (hosted by CECAM) with mailing
  lists and with links to the relevant software projects
  (also to proprietary software, for information) ;
- through workgroups, organize the collaboration between
  developers : file exchange, code testing,
  definition of objects, exchange of development tools,
  exchange of expertise ... ;
- organize workshops and tutorials on related subjects,
  and on modern software engineering concepts ;
- maintain a contact with the Free Software foundation,
  and spread relevant information from it or about it;
- maintain a contact with relevant funding agencies
  or institutions, and ease (or foster)
  the writing of relevant proposals.

4) Organisation

During the CECAM
workshop "Open Source Software for Microscopic Calculation",
Lyon, 19-21 June 2002, a managing committee has been set up.
For the time being, it is made of nine members:
D. Ceperley
X. Gonze
K. Hinsen
K. Jakobsen
L. Kale
M. Marques
G. Martyna
D. Van Der Spoel
G. Zerah
The committee has elected
X. Gonze as president, and has asked CECAM
to host the Web page of the association. M. Mareschal,
the director of CECAM has accepted the demand, and
has encouraged this project.