OSE Specifications
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:
Information Access
1. 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.
2. 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 transferred to a physical object at another point in space, in the presence of digital fabrication capacities.
3. 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.
1. Modular Design – Objects should be designed so that they are made with modules, or parts. 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.
2. Design for Disassembly and Lifetime Design -
3. Simplicity and Low Cost -
4. Replaceable Components -
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
1. Scalability -
2. LOcalization
Level 1 - production is local Level 2 - sourcing is local
3. Product Evolution
4. Fabrication Facilities - Concrete Flexible Fabrication mechanism exists for others to purchase the product at reasonable cost
5. Open Franchising - replicable enterprise design is available, and training exists for entrepreneurs
6. 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.