Future of the OS?

Monday, 27 April, 2009

Well there was much anticipation (e.g. GIScussions) about the budget and it’s implications for the operation of the OS, particularly after all the reports that have been published (Power of Information, UK Location Strategy, Models of Public Sector Information Provision via Trading Funds). To say the outcome was disappointing for many is perhaps an understatement. Some initial reactions from the usual places: Steven Feldman, Ed Parsons, Michael Cross and Charles Arthur. And of course we do have the OSs own WordPress blog outlining their new business strategy.

Charles puts it rather nicely: “Better to bail out banks with tens of billions that you might never get back than spend a few millions stimulating commercial enterprises and encouraging entrepreneurship by giving people access to essential, business-valuable data.” So possibly business as usual; the interesting aspect will be the effect (if any?) on the complexity of licensing and how this effects educational and non-commercial uses. Time will tell.

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