Consultation on European Perspectives for Free Software

About the consultation

Representatives of players active in Free Software were present in Brussels on Friday 18 May 2001 at the occasion of the information event organised in relation with the 2001 action line "Free Software development: towards critical mass". The opportunity was used to discuss the main challenges ahead and possible future orientation for the European research programmes in this field. This input will be used by the Commission services to propose orientations for the 6th Framework Programme of European Research and development (2002-2006) in this domain, and more generally in the efford to ensure that the instruments, contractual rules and general environments meet the requirements for co-operative efforts using the Free Software schemes.

The results of the consultation are summarized in an official report and available here.

Intevation comments on (some of the) questions

What are the main elements missing for Europe to take full advantage of the benefits of Free Software approaches in this situation?

several independent collaboration servers
public libraries: access to and archive for Free Software
infrastructure that prevents monopolization:
- no proprietary formats
- no software patents
more companies following consequently the Free Software strategy

What are the key technology, process, skills and economic challenges for Free Software producers and users?

making good software is mainly a communication problem
making software is a technology problem only in the second place
key challenge for economy: establish new structures of communication
new set of communication opportunities:

What are the conditions in terms of funding, modalities of selection forms of contracts, duration of projects, etc, that are relevant for actions targeting or using Free Software approaches?

Free Software approach does not create proprietary locks
full funding (no equity ration)
rapid grants
modalities of selection:
- evaluation usually works well on its own :-)
- heuristics: methods of working, methods of communication
- long-term perspective
contracts: obligation to release all results as Free Software
other relevant conditions:
- manage coordination of projects where possible
- provide and oblige use of independent collaboration infrastructure

There were further questions:

We have not given direct answers to these to concentrate on the - as we feel - more important aspects above.

What is your assessment of the range of software, products and services that will be covered by Free Software in 2002-2006 time frame?

What are the key challenges in information and communication technology and its general usage that specifically deserve to be targeted using Free Software schemes?

Are there fields in which European-level support to Free Software approaches would be particularly useful?

2004/10/05