Grants/Metalinker.org Download Improvements
Describe the project you are proposing as clearly as possible in just five sentences.
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.
Detail the tangible project output (e.g., paper, blog post, written materials, video/film, etc.; this would be in addition to the final written report that successful grant recipients will be expected to deliver to CC at the conclusion of the project).
The output will be Internet Standards, like RFC 5854 which we recently completed, and software supporting these standards.
Describe the community you are targeting. How would the project benefit the 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.br />
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.
How will you measure and evaluate your project’s impact - on your main participants? Other contributors? On the larger community?
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.
How many participants do you expect to be involved in your project? How will you seek and sustain their involvement?
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.
Describe how your project will benefit Creative Commons' mission to increase the amount of creativity (cultural, educational, and scientific content) in "the commons".
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.
Describe what technologies and tools your project will use. What kinds of technical skills and expertise do you bring to the project? What are your technical 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.
What challenges do you expect to face, and how do you plan to overcome them?
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.
How do you plan to sustain your project after the Creative Commons funding has ended? Detail specific plans. How do you plan to raise revenue to continue your efforts in the future?
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.
How can this project be scalable, or have a scalable impact?
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.
What resources and support do you expect Creative Commons to provide to your project to ensure its success (if any)?
Any help with getting the word out (PR, or marketing) would be appreciated.
Describe how your organization currently communicates with its community members and network partners. (100 words)
Almost all communication is done over email lists. Some is over IM or IRC.
Legal
Yes
