The National Center for Open Source Policy and Research (NCOSPR) was recently announced, and represents a big step forward in open source advocacy in government. The non-profit's mission is to "recruit experienced and innovative thinkers to help craft development, implementation and acquisition policies that will facilitate the continual adoption and growth of open source within the public sector IT communities."

This major effort should go a long way toward providing government agencies with the help they need to navigate the open source wave.

From the press release:"The National Center will be administered by the Open Source Software Institute (www.oss-institute.org) and hosted by the University of Southern Mississippi (www.usm.edu). NCOSPRs administrative offices are located at the Universitys main campus in Hattiesburg, MS and technical offices located at the University's satellite campus at the John C. Stennis Space Center on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Additional satellite and affiliate branches will be established on-site at participating government, academic and industry partner locations."

The story you don't get from the press release is that this big step forward is because of the tireless work of John Weathersby, founder of the Open Source Software Institute. I know John, and he exudes leadership and great people skills, not always so common in open source advocacy. Good work in fighting the good fight, John!

Posted Fri, 10/21/05 4:30 PM