I think there are a couple of different approaches to the second group. Because I think that it’s really a more multifacited problem. Some people will respond to better marketing, and Fossfor.us is designed to encourage the production of better “box level” marketing materials. It’s editable wiki-style, with some editorial help along the way, and it encourages better marketing than most open source projects do on their own.

But there’s also the type of person who’s been scared away by FUD, and we need to combat that with clear evidence that the perpetrators of fear are distorting the truth.

And then there’s just the pragmatic majority that never ever wants to be the first on the block to try something new, and for them we need case studies that show other people and buisnesses like them being successful with our tools.

Fossfor.us is really targeted at helping people find free and open source software, and at helping to improve the marketing of that software both by providing a more “back of the box” like browsing experience, and by incorporating reviews, and web 2.0 style sharing stuff.

But others have done good work on uncovering the FUD and showing it the light of day. I guess that the case study thing is still not as well served as it should be, though some of that is happening organically already.

This does not replace SourceForge, nor does it remove the need for, or the ability to build community. Also, there’s no reason for FossFor.us to be limited to only SourceForge projects.

So, I’m, not sure that we’re talking on the same level. I certainly think it’s important to grow and engage users in community, but that’s not what SourceForge does. My mom will never understand and participate as a developer on SourceForge, and I think that we need to do a better job of serving her.

And, yea you are obviously not the one this is aimed at, but I know a lot of people who are intimidated by the traditional open source communication systems and they either become silent non-participants, or they leave the community altogether. Fossfor.us is just one step along the way of growing the community beyond just the “technical elite” that are served well by the current tools.

So, yea there is more to do, and we have aspirations to do more in the future too. ;)

I have noticed that when it comes to the business arena, there are two classes of folks who aren’t using FOSS:
1) those who genuinely do not know enough to even know what to ask or where for FOSS
2) folks who’s pride and foolishness get in the way of pragmatic business decisions and result in choosing solutions because of cajoling and ‘box art’ type of marketing

The first, ignorance, can be solved though education. How do you believe FOSS can gain a better adoption for the second half troublemakers? How do you convince folks to make wise decisions in the face of what they may see as the chance to be ridiculed for being idealistic?

I applaud greatly these efforts.

Other sf competitors are making it easier for people to get more involved with projects – this goes the other way.

I’ve never been a fan of separate user and dev mailing lists for example, so I’m obviously not the one this is aimed at.

Remember one of the main motivators for projects becoming open source – is to collaborate with people.

Just my 0.01 euro.

cu!

But I’m *really* happy reading your description of fossfor.us. An excellent good idea and, whilst similar things have been attempted before, I think the particular focus on the ideal user you’ve described is something that’s been missing in other attempts. I hope it takes off.