OcUK Open Source Project?

SpicyDuck · 2 Feb 2008 at 14:00

Has something like this been done, or even considered before?

There are a lot of very talented individuals here, with all sorts of knowledge and experience - so maybe it's something to consider doing? I think it would be very interesting.

What do you lot think?

Zefan · 2 Feb 2008 at 14:05

There was a thread a bit like this before, I'm not sure it got too far.

Not trying to curse the idea before it's even off the ground, just mentioning what's happened before.

It is a great idea, it would need a very organised and dedicated leader.

SpicyDuck · 2 Feb 2008 at 14:17

Zefan said:
There was a thread a bit like this before, I'm not sure it got too far.

Not trying to curse the idea before it's even off the ground, just mentioning what's happened before.

It is a great idea, it would need a very organised and dedicated leader.

I see.

Well, I would be happy to volunteer to organise everything. But, although I'm as clean and organised as an Autistic genius, I'd much prefer it if the people I were organising, were dedicated.

When things start taking 2 days, or weeks longer than planned it all gets a bit tiresome and everyone starts to lose motivation. So if anyone would seriously like to take part in a project of some sort, it would be best if you did so with a little dedication in mind.

If there aren't many people willing to take part, well, maybe some other time?

robmiller · 2 Feb 2008 at 14:23

There isn't enough motiviation, enough overlap of talents, or any possibility of consensus.

SpicyDuck · 2 Feb 2008 at 15:11

robmiller said:
There isn't enough motiviation, enough overlap of talents, or any possibility of consensus.

Well, that's that then, eh?

Unless someone wants to try and be a little more enthusiastic?

Augmented · 2 Feb 2008 at 15:23

Grow a project idea, rather than try to form a huge team for a project. Start an idea yourself, and if you need people to help you then bring them in. No point getting a team of C# coders, PHP developers and graphic designers if you're going to make a desktop application in Python and QT, for example.

Have the code available from the start, so that anyone can submit patches and bugfixes, as is the open-source way. If your codebase is crap, but the idea's great, then someone will probably make a fork of the code and turn it into something better.

Shoseki · 2 Feb 2008 at 15:39

The bottom line is, you can't organise a project around a bunch of random people. You have to have someone at the beginning who has a vision of something to be done or created, and others then either want to contribute/make their own version or come up with something else.

Otherwise, what you are saying is... here is a blank piece of paper. Between the group of you, put something onto this piece of paper. Whilst it may be random and inspired, it is mostly going to be crap.

If you have an idea for an open source project, run with it. If others think it has value, they will contribute as you let them.

AGD · 2 Feb 2008 at 23:00

Yeah, you can't really go forward unless you have an idea for the project first. Unless you want this thread to be project suggestions?

unwashed potato! · 3 Feb 2008 at 01:12

yeah this has come up a few times, everytime everyone goes oh yeah cool idea, a week later thread has died and nothing ever happens, if someone could find the old threads you would see the posts are bascially identical.

on a side note, just been reading your php security guide robmiller, very good read have to say.

lozza · 4 Feb 2008 at 01:24

there was a thread by Blighter http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17689461&highlight=username_harib0
and i think he did have a site of some sort which more or less was a directory of all the OCUK branch off sites, like motors, case central etc...

I think it would nice, as i said in the linked thread to gather together all the useful stuff that people have posted to make one ocuk guide

So how about a HG&P site with tutorials, top tips, Software reviews, Member developed sofware etc..

A bit like:

TFT Central, for the minitors section, by Badass
Case central, for the case section, by Yewen
etc.... (theres one for hosting already but this could be the practical side)

Mickey · 4 Feb 2008 at 01:34

There was this thread too : http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17798162

howdydoody · 4 Feb 2008 at 02:15

Yes, these things never really start to get going.

Personally, I would approach this differently. Start with a programming tutorial thread, in python for instance. Those people who take part are going to be much more willing to take part in an opensource project, plus it can also be used as a programming tutorial.

Slinwagh · 4 Feb 2008 at 03:07

howdydoody said:
Yes, these things never really start to get going.

Personally, I would approach this differently. Start with a programming tutorial thread, in python for instance. Those people who take part are going to be much more willing to take part in an opensource project, plus it can also be used as a programming tutorial.

I would go with that, I am learning XHTML and CSS for a small website I want to develop.

It is easier to learn something if you have a goal / target.

Conrad11 · 4 Feb 2008 at 08:49

Its a nice idea don't get me wrong, but I think having a project that everyone can work on and be included in is too much.

What I do think a nice idea would be, is to have a site where you can post ideas, and if a particular person likes your idea, they can join your project and help you develop - and you post your progress on that particular website - sort of like a log version....people can download the source...etc.....