[okfn-discuss] OSSD and Service Orientation

[John Bywater]

Rufus Pollock wrote:
> 2009/5/21 John Bywater <john.bywater at appropriatesoftware.net>:
>> Also, whilst I remember, there appears to be an aspect that is entirely
>> missing: requiring that all open software service dependencies are also
>> open software services. Dependency services appear not to be mentioned.
> 
> No this is not mentioned because there never seemed to be a consensus
> position on this! It was discussed extensively, see e.g.:
> 
> <http://lists.okfn.org/pipermail/okfn-discuss/2007-August/000498.html>
> 

Thanks, I thought it had been raised somewhere! I guess both options
have their uses, but it's a question of what does each allow - what is
an open software service for?

Of course, being free/open is often considered as an end in itself. But
apparently that's not a consideration sufficient to decide this matter
in a non-arbitrary manner.

Perhaps it would help to think about which needs/desires are realised by
the open aspects of open software services?