[Oscmis] DoD CIO signs Open Source Guidance Memo

[John Weathersby]

It's been a long time coming, but here it is.  The DoD acting-CIO, Dave
Wennergren, has signed an Open Source Guidance Memo which will hopefully
provide a bit more clarity in the DoD's continued efforts to utilize
open source solutions.

Here's the link.

http://www.oss-institute.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=363&Itemid=47


The memo itself is pretty straight forward.  It states:


        To effectively achieve its missions, the Department of Defense
        must develop and update its software-based capabilities faster
        than ever, to anticipate new threats and respond to continuously
        changing requirements. The use of Open Source Software (OSS) can
        provide advantages in this regard. This memorandum provides
        clarifying guidance on the use of OSS and supersedes the
        previous DoD CIO memorandum dated May 28, 2003 (reference (a)).
        
        Open Source Software is software for which the human-readable
        source code is available for use, study, reuse, modification,
        enhancement and redistribution by the users of that software. In
        other words, OSS is software for which the source code is
        “open.”
        
        There are many OSS programs in operational use by the Department
        today, in both classified and unclassified environments.
        Unfortunately, there have been misconceptions and
        misinterpretations of the existing laws, policies and
        regulations that deal with software and apply to OSS, that have
        hampered effective DoD use and development of OSS. Attachment 2
        contains clarifying guidance to address some of those issues.
        
        I have asked the Director, Enterprise Services & Integration, to
        work with your staffs and identify other barriers to the
        effective use of open source software within the Department, so
        we can continue to increase the benefits from the use of OSS.
        Additional information to clarify how existing DoD policies
        relate to open source software will be posted at
        http://www.defenselink.mil/cio-nii/cio/oss . Questions
        concerning this memorandum should be directed to Daniel
        Risacher, Enterprise Services & Integration, at (703) 602-1098
        or email, Daniel.risacher at osd.mil
        

Take the time to review this document.  It is a Guidance Memo (not a
policy document) which means that it provides "guidance and
clarification" on issues regarding open source within DoD.  But it is
very significant in that it states (in writing) that open source is a
viable option and must be considered...and should be dismissed out of
hand, as it has been by some.

Congrats, btw, to all those men and women who have worked so hard and
for so long to see this next step become a reality.

Well done.
jmw




=================================================



from the desk of
John M. Weathersby, Jr.
Executive Director, OSSI
Voice: 202.683.7524
Cell:   601.818.7161

Ad maiorem Dei gloriam 

=================================================


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