Q & A
Questions and Answers
Q&A
We are glad to having received lots of feedback; obviously, our idea to create an open source software for sustainability assessment plus two modules has raised also many questions. In this section, we attempt to answer common questions in order to help you find a quicker answer.
For any questions that should remain open we encourage you to use our contact and feedback form. THANKS.
Q: What are expected contributions?
Q: What do I get for a contribution?
Q: Why is it exactly open source?
Q: Can I use the software without restrictions, also in paid projects, if I do not re-distribute it?
Q: Who is in the project team?
Q: Will the format converter run also as a stand alone application?
Q: In which languages will the software be available (user interface and documentation)?
Q: What if I fund and the project fails?
Q: If I support the project, will I then support a competitor of existing LCA software vendors?
Q: What are expected contributions?
As with any open source project, money is crucial; however, our idea is a mutually successful business between each member of the contributing community and us; in this sense, members of the funding consortium may pay the equivalent of one LCA software license, but can also contribute with other values that are of use for the project, e.g. software and database licenses, development projects, or coding help. If you think about possible contributions, we urge you to contact us.
Q: What do I get for a contribution?
In brief, the funding community receives software under the MPL.1.1 license which allows distribution together with closed software; it receives, further, additional modules that will be created after project finalisation (at least four different ones; the actual modules are a the format converter and a module for uncertainty calculation and assessment); each community member can choose between three different licenses (MPL 1.1, LGPL, GPL) when re-disctributing the software.
The software will consist of a modular framework for calculation of Sustainability Assessments and Life Cycle Analyses.
Q: What's the time schedule?
The project has started in November 2006. It will be finished by autumn 2008. The format converter will be available, for testing, by February 2007. Funding consortium members are already receiving intermediate design proposals and alpha versions for feedback.
Q: Why is it exactly open source?
The software is compliant with the definiton of 'open source' as given by the Open Source Initiative. The definition contains 10 criteria: .1 Free Redistribution, 2. Source Code (available), 3. Derived Works (must be allowed), 4. Integrity of The Author's Source Code, 5. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups, 6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor, 7. Distribution of License, 8. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product, 9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software, 10. License Must Be Technology-Neutral. We have been granted a sourceforge webspace for hosting the source code released to public (see section resources), which is only possible for open source projects.
Q: Can I use the software without restrictions, also in paid projects, if I do not re-distribute it?
Yes. You may even modify the software and use it internally without making the changes public. Using the software is limited if you disctribute the modified software. See also the other answers.
Q: Who is in the project team?
Currently, the team are Andreas Ciroth, Michael Srocka, Richard Gross, N.N (advisor), Jutta Hildenbrand (advisor). See also the section project team.
Q: Will the format converter run also as a stand alone application?
Yes. The format converter will also run independently from the framework, as a Java application, using XML and XSLT files. For future modules, possible uses will be discussed in the consortium.
Q: Who can benefit?
The open source software is ideal for research institutes; any organisation that wishes to modify and then distribute Sustainability Assessment software; programmers interested in environment and environmental assessment; developing countries; SMEs; universities that are seeking capacity building software; students and researchers...
Q: In which languages will the software be available (user interface and documentation)?
Initially, the software is written in English. Translations to other languages are welcome. Technically, the software is written in Java (framework) and Java and XML/XSL (format converter). Other modules will be written in appropriate languages; the framework is not restricted to one coding language. However we try to keep the number of languages minimal for sake of efficiency and maintainability.
Q: Free riders: Why can't I just wait until the framework and modules are finalised? I can use the software anyhow..
When the software is released as stable, which is scheduled for the format converter module in spring 2007, and for the overall framework in autumn 2008, anybody is free to use them, at no cost.
However, distribution of the modified software together with non-open source software is not permitted under the GNU General Public License; funding members receive the software under a different license which allows this. In addition, while waiting you lose the opportunity to influence the development and implementation.
Funding is possible with reasonable contributions. Do contact us if you have questions.
Q: What if I fund and the project fails?
Software development is always challenging; the number of software development projects that have failed expectations is numerous. We are aware of this; however, we are experienced in project management and software development. If the project indeed does not produce software according to specifications, in the specified time frame, then funding members get their invested money refunded.
Q: If I support the project, will I then support a competitor of existing LCA software vendors?
We see the framework rather as a complement to existing LCA software packages. Currently, talks are ongoing with all major LCA software vendors concerning a project support. PRé Consultants and PE International have both joined the Funding Consortium, and both are providers and vendors of LCA software.
In the end, the project will disclose considerable know-how on life cycle calculation and format exchange. We are neutral and not part of one of the several "interest groups" that made, sometimes, decisions and conclusions tedious in the LC community in the past.
The format converter, as one example, offers an unbiased exchange between major existing data formats. Our target groups are entities which aim to modify and adapt LC software for their specific needs, and distribute these changes to their clients and networks, at no cost.
There seems little overlap between these and the classical software customer. In summary, we are convinced to help broadening the application of sustainability assessment, but rather as a complement to existing LC software than as a competitor.