[Strategic] Forks

[Frederik Ramm]

Hi,

TimSC wrote:
> I wondered if I could get a final response from SWG on if they would 
> support, or at least tolerate, forks using openstreetmap resources? 

I am not a member of SWG, just a plain OSMF member.

I think there is a certain useful role for forks in the license change 
process.

One of these is, for example, that certain OSM contributors who  do not 
agree to relicense their data might have second thoughts later, and then 
it is helpful if OSM members have ready access to a database of 
pre-license-change data so they can copy data across.

Another helpful role is that if there should be areas which are hard hit 
by the license change, it is conceivable to create a "combined slippy 
map" that carries both the OSM and the OSM-Fork tile, displaying the 
OSM-Fork tile wherever that has more detail.

If a fork came along cooperatively like that then it might be possible 
that some support is extended to the fork, if resources allow. The fact 
that some people would then perhaps choose to leave OSM and continue 
contributing to the fork instead could be tolerated.

If however any part of OSMF were to support a fork that actively aims to 
sabotage the license change by spreading FUD, and actively tries to talk 
OSMers out of agreeing to the license change, then I would personally 
bring the matter up at the next general meeting, and request that these 
decisions be reverted, any support be terminated immediately, and those 
responsible be reprimanded for harming OSM.

And I'm pretty sure that the majority of OSMF members would be behind me 
in this.

This effectively rules out any support for fosm.org, but as I said, I 
think there's room for a "friendly fork" if someone is in the mood.

Bye
Frederik

-- 
Frederik Ramm  ##  eMail frederik at remote.org  ##  N49°00'09" E008°23'33"