View source for Grants/Metalinker.org Download Improvements

{{Grant Application
|Project Title=Metalinker.org Download Improvements
|applicants=Metalinker.org
|contact person=Anthony Bryan
|coordinator=Anthony Bryan
|start date=2010/06/30
|end date=2011/06/30
|Affiliation=OpenOffice.org, Fedora, Ubuntu, openSUSE
|Mainurl=http://www.metalinker.org/
|Affiliated=No
|description=Metalinker.org is an open source project that produces Internet Standards related to downloads as well. We work to provide automated download solutions, so file transfers are more reliable and error proof. This is mostly used for large software downloads currently, but is just as useful for media files.
|output=The output will be Internet Standards, like RFC 5854 which we recently completed, and software supporting these standards.
|community=Our current targets are those who offer large software downloads. Metalink is supported by download software and organizations who offer it include AT&T, OpenOffice.org, Fedora, openSUSE, Ubuntu, etc.

We benefit the community by making downloads as failsafe as possible. This lowers support costs, bandwidth costs, and user frustration.
|community relationship=We are intertwined within the open source community we target. We are the best because no one else has solved these problems. The reason the problems still exist at all, is because support for the standards is not as widespread where it reaches average people. We have been doing this for 5 years already.
|measurement=When we succeed, average people's downloads will succeed whenever possible. No one will need to think about restarting downloads, checksumming files, or repairing downloads. We need support in browsers to reach most people.
|participants=We have had a core group or 12, and over 100 people involved over the years. This is an open source project, so people keep scratching as long as they have time/interest to itch. Most people are quite committed.
|impact=The Metalinker.org project is all about making it easier to share, spread, and have access to works people have created. Right now this is mostly open source software, but we expect it to be used by anything people share.
|tech needs=We have developers, and all the associated technology and tools they use.

We could use more developers who are familiar with certain codebases, like Firefox or Chrome web browsers.
|challenges=Surprisingly, there is resistance to new technology even when it has few drawbacks. We're used to this and keep trudging on. We've had tremendous, yet slow, success.
|sustainability=We have received some corporate support already and are starting a non-profit with the help of Software Freedom Conservancy. Our default is to work without funding, but things are accomplished faster with funding.
|scalability=Our technology is already unknowingly used by millions each day. Support in popular web browsers will enable more people to use these features without even using them.
|resource needs=Any help with getting the word out (PR, or marketing) would be appreciated.
|communication=Almost all communication is done over email lists. Some is over IM or IRC.
|budget=MetalinkCCbudget.txt
|legal=Yes
}}