Blogging Roller: Zero

Zero

IBM's project Zero has de-cloaked.

Project Zero introduces a simple environment for creating, assembling and executing applications based on popular Web technologies. The Project Zero environment includes a scripting runtime for Groovy and PHP with application programming interfaces optimized for producing REST-style services, integration mash-ups and rich Web interfaces.

Smells a lot like Phobos (see also Phobos Meets Atom, REST), but Phobos is focusing on server-side JavaScript first. Oh, and Phobos is open source. Project Zero is not.

"This community is an experiment in a new way to build commercial software, an approach we are currently calling Community-Driven Commercial Development. Community-Driven means that we want feedback, insight, suggestions, criticism, and dialogue with you, the users of Project Zero. This interaction will yield a better solution that is more targeted at the problems you have and a technology that truly delivers on its objectives. Commercial means that this is not an open source project."

Community-driven? Sounds like the community is a back-seat driver with freedom to complain but no access to the steering wheel, gas pedal or breaks.

Dave Johnson in Java • 🕒 05:28AM Jul 02, 2007

Tags: groovy java rest

Comments:

But what do you really think? ;-)

Posted by Bill Higgins on July 03, 2007 at 10:08 AM EDT #

We talked a lot about whether to take an open source approach for Project Zero. We're leaving that option open down the road, but at the moment the decision is for IBM to hold onto write access. The CDCD process does capture many of the benefits people see in open source projects. At the end of the day Project Zero is a commercial effort and we think the CDCD process is more consistent (and up front) with that notion. Happy to talk more with you on this. Joe Lea, IBM Project Zero Product Manager

Posted by Joe Lea on July 03, 2007 at 12:19 PM EDT #

OK Joe. Good luck with that approach. You'll need it. Hey, here's one question from Tim's comments: if it's a commercial effort why didn't you pick a .com domain name?

And this is for Bill ;-)

Posted by Dave Johnson on July 03, 2007 at 09:24 PM EDT #

Thanks Dave, now I'll be able to enjoy my holiday weekend, knowing you're not grouchy ;-)

Posted by Bill Higgins on July 03, 2007 at 09:29 PM EDT #

>"if it's a commercial effort why didn't you pick a .com domain name?" Okay, another good one for the FAQ. To clarify, the overall program is a commercial effort and the expectation is that the technology will ultimately find its way into existing offerings and/or form the basis of new, priced offerings. We chose a .org domain for the public site because that focuses on the technology and assets that can be used without money changing hands. In other words, the projectzero.org site is not focused on commercial aspects of the overall program. Joe Lea, IBM Project Zero Product Manager

Posted by joe lea on July 03, 2007 at 10:30 PM EDT #

Holiday weekend!?! The 4th is just one day, Bill. Now I'm grouchy again; I'm all out of vacation days.

Posted by Dave Johnson on July 03, 2007 at 10:42 PM EDT #

Joe, see what I mean? - Dave

Posted by Dave Johnson on July 04, 2007 at 10:32 AM EDT #

Agreed, doesn't sound very open. Of course, Phobos had 2 developer emails in June, so either it's experimenting with inactivity or the development conversations are private.

Posted by Henri Yandell on July 06, 2007 at 02:52 PM EDT #

Henri, Phobos is open source, but I never said was a vibrant community. Zero will have better luck building a vibrant community if it is open source *and* commercial. - Dave

Posted by Dave Johnson on July 06, 2007 at 09:45 PM EDT #

Thanks Dave, I saw a Mark Pilgirm's "mother-faq-er"... a little harsh, but funny. The feedback has been pouring in on the project from public blogs and private communications. I've been reminding folks that this is an incubator project and as such the current licensing is designed to provide some air cover as we evaluate the technology and business direction. And of course, it's easier to lift restrictions over time than to impose new ones.
Joe Lea, IBM Project Zero Product Manager

Posted by joe lea on July 07, 2007 at 06:47 PM EDT #