OSE Specifications

Introduction

The OSE Specification is a standard aimed at providing a transparent assessment of the overall openness or accessibility of so-called open source products. The concept of open source is extended here to physical products in general. The intent of this specification is to clarify those attributes of the product or product development process that contribute to widespread access to users. This specification is intended to help people assess distributive production aspects of projects, by distinguishing between the various degrees of ‘opensourceness’ embodied in projects. This is because some projects call themselves ‘open source’ when, in reality, only a small portion, or even no physical portion, of the hardware is open source.

For example, in the case of the OS Green Vehicle, the only open source component is an apparent design process, but I don’t see how I could join the design team, nor would I want to if I am interested in open content, as even the data generated is protected: ‘Your rights to use, modify and re-distribute any data from this web site are limited.’ Moreover, the components used in the car are proprietary. This shows an example where not one part of the developed hardware is open source, and the sole function of the ‘open source’ process is to decide what proprietary components to use. This does not do much to distribute wealth along the true nature of open source ideals.

Access refers to use for both private or market purposes. The specification is not neutral in its goals, just as no technologies are ever neutral. The intent goes so far as to point out the nuances that contribute to a particular direction of: (1), promoting ecological integrity, (2), contributing to the highest possible quality of life, and (3), creating the widest possible distribution of wealth. Because the open source method of product development has immense potential in transforming the economic system, the OSE Specification aims to address the evaluation of positive change endorsed by various open source projects.

The scope of OSE Specifications is far-reaching: it considers all the steps necessary for a product to be user-accessible. This includes open access to relevant information and affordable access to physical products. This implies that for physical products, the highest standard is the existence of a production facility to bring a given product to market.

OSE Specification does not stop at physical production facilities. It addresses the means for replicating the production process itself. This includes the development of open business models, training materials, and apprenticeships for entrepreneurs. As the final step, we consider the availability of capitalization assistance within the metric. The capitalization assistance may be in the form of producing the machines involved in production for the trainee’s new enterprise, or it may mean that the trainee shares in the earnings from making a product in order to help defray the cost of a new facility.

Such level of commitment to the success of replication may imply a hidden agenda behind this program. Indeed there is: the greatest possible empowerment of people and communities to be the masters of their destinies by beginning to take control of their means of production. Self-employment and local, ecological economies are desirable byproducts.

OSE Spec addresses access for two audiences: both users and producers. Production could occur by do-it-yourself means. More importantly, we have the framework of flexible fabrication in mind. The OSE Spec addresses the availability of blueprints or digital designs, which can be used readily in computer-controlled fabrication facilities. Such fabrication procedures lend themselves for use by producers selling to outside markets. Indeed, the metric addresses the ease with which production may be initiated. At best, production should be easy to start, if it requires minimal capitalization, and if producers can be trained effectively.

The particular elements of OSE Spec includes four areas: information access, ecological design, design process, and economic feasibility and replicability. The components of OSE Specifications are detailed as follows:

Open Documentation

Open content

We begin with open content as a foundation – content that is free of restrictions on use or dissemination. The optimal license for content that we promote are the public domain. We have a philosophy that the users should decide for themselves as to how to use the information. We support open licensing. We are not interested in policing creations. We believe that to claim something as ‘one’s own’ is arrogant, as it does not address the fact that any single ‘invention’ is simply a small additional to a large pool of existing knowledge that made the ‘invention’ possible. We believe that there is no point in trying to police the patenting of forks, as are simply so many different forks or development paths that could be taken nonetheless: creativity is unlimited. We believe that the more we contribute to the commons, the more new content will be generated.

Readily accessible or downloadble documentation and design

Distributed information in the computer age is made most readily accessible if it is available for immediate download from the internet. If material is available in electronic format, it may be manipulated or utilized readily with software tools. For example, digital designs may be edited or used immediately in CAD or CAM. If CAM formats are available, then data at one point in space can be readily transformed into a physical object at another point in space, in the presence of digital fabrication capacities.

Design Drawings

This is a start towards replicability.

Bill of Materials (BOM)

Next to design drawing, the BOM is the second most important towards replicability. This is a detailed listing of all parts used, sourcing, and prices. Availability of the BOM saves the potential builder countless hours of searching for part availability and for reasonable pricing. Relevant comments should be made alongside the BOM, such as, quality or reliability of certain vendors, their quality of service, and any other useful comments. The only difficulty with a BOM may be that if the audience is global, sourcing may not be readily available or shipping may be prohibitive, so local substitution of parts must be made. If a BOM is available, then the building of a specific product can commence immediately: there is no guessing which parts would work, or which supplier is reliable. At best, the process for one-off individual production can be as follows:

1. an individual decides that they need a certain product
2. they look that product up on an online repository of open source products, download fabrication procedures and parts lists
3. purchase parts locally all on the same day if they are located in an urban area where many suppliers are available
4. and start building a certain project.

All these steps can potentially be completed in one day when the BOM is available. Open design drawings and plans are only one aspect, but the critical point to enabling immediate production is the availability of BOMs, as the last step prior to actual fabrication.

Under this scenario, a realistic possibility emerges that a large number of individuals discontinue purchasing slave goods from who-knows-where, and begin to fabricate them locally. This is feasibile on the individual level for anyone equipped with a robust Fab Lab, or when small groups (a few to a dozen people) get together to purchase low-cost, open source, digital fabrication equipment. These people could operate out of backyard garages, rented workshop spaces, co-working facilities, or other community supported manufacturing operations. The types of products that yield themselves particularly to this type of production are those items that fall beyond the class of disposable goods, and are more or less long-use items. These items include electronics, mechanized tools, semi-heavy machinery, green vehicles, renewable energy systems, among others.

Free information

If information is free, it is most easily accessible.

Ecological Design

There are many features of ecological design that may be considered, depending on the situation, but these are the salient features.

Multipurpose Modular Design

Objects should be designed so that they are made as building blocks, or modules, of other or larger objects. This way, objects can be modified. Instead of a whole object having to be replaced to add new functionality, a module may be added. This gives products a flexibility that is built into their very nature, such that the user has additional control with minimum expense. Modularity may sometimes be synonymous with inter-operability, and may sometimes be synonymous with scalability. It may contribute to lifetime design if an object is 100% modular and each module may be replaced. Modularity also means that an object may function as a building block of other objects. In all cases, modularity implies that an object may be modified. The combination of flexibility, adaptability, scalability, interoperability are desirable. These features expand the range of applications, increase lifetime, reduce cost, as well as provide and retain high value. In a material world, these are features that contribute to wealth and prosperity. In a nutshell, modularity provides large value and has low associated costs. These are good implications for individual and community well-being.

If modular design is followed, then the type of interoperability of using building blocks leads us to a Pattern Language of technology. In this pattern language, the modules or building blocks serve as the sentences of a larger language, or technology infrastructure.

Design for Disassembly and Lifetime Design

For long life, and easy repair.

Simplicity and Low Cost

Easily replicable.

Development Process

1. Participation in the development process is entirely voluntary. No compensation for alienation is necessary. As a result, the best designs are produced from the commitment of passionate stakeholders.

2. Anyone may join or leave the development group at any time

3. Collaborative development process utilizes the input of diverse stakeholders

4. Steps and results of the development process are documented

Economic Feasibility and Replicability

Localization

   Level 1 - production is local
   Level 2 - sourcing is local

Fabrication Facilities

Concrete Flexible Fabrication mechanism exists for others to purchase the product at reasonable cost

Open Franchising

Replicable enterprise design is available, and training exists for entrepreneurs

Startup Assistance

In summary, we aim to raise the standards embodied in open source product development efforts by articulating the possibilities. OSE Specification describes all the desirable features that can be embodied in open economic development, under the assumption that maximum advancement of distributive production is the best route to human prosperity.

The end promise isliberatory technology - open, replicable, essential, optimal, and ecological goods and services for humankind living in harmony with natural life support systems.