Eric Bauerfeld
MJ
Hi Eric, Thanks for your email. We're setting up a new Forum, and all our repos are at https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/wiki/OSE_Part_Library#Part_Libraries
Your proposal is interesting. Your idea of small, atomic, composable pieces is in line with our part libraries. I believe that the missing link is standardization. But standardization will depend on your motives. For example, mainstream industry will propose standards that lead to bigger-is-better solution. OSE, on the other hand, would design people-centered technology. This is captured in https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/wiki/OSE_Specifications
There is one open source standard, and another that is for general hardware taxonomy - both in development. See
- DIN Spec - OSE Germany - Open Source Hardware Standard - https://forum.openhardware.science/t/contribute-to-the-development-of-an-international-open-source-hardware-standard/1205
- https://app.standardsrepo.com/MakerNetAlliance/OpenKnowHow/wiki/Home - Open Knowhow data structure for hardware
There is a lot of promise in the DIN Spec - actually formalizing open hardware requirements. The latter does not focus on open hardware, just hardware in general. Maybe you can update me about their status. We know an effort is serious if they actually specify open formats for files, such as FreeCAD and KiCad among the required file formats. Otherwise we continue in the current fragmentation of effort. Let me know what you find out as the latest of the DIN Spec. I'm observing from a distance, I think they have it under control. And if they don't get it right at first try, we can of course iterate from there. I will comment on their final draft. For OSE, we like to add the elements of Distributive Enterprise, which imposes additional constraints upon the open hardware standard. https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/wiki/Distributive_Enterprise
Yes, True Fans are still active and we have about 30 True Fanships active. Please subscribe at https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/wiki/True_Fans. Please also update that page with your profile - we should keep updating that page. Marcin