Well, I think Joseph's ideas are entirely valid. But I would make them more specific in one respect. Collaborative groups, in medicine, can only collaborate where there are standards. I will go farther. In an area where there are standards, open source will always win. In an area where there are no standards, open source will always lose. Apache is the perfect example of this. Apache is winning/has won, because it seeks only to embody pre-existing standards. If there were no standards (HTTP, etc.), the Microsoft offering would win easily. So.... While OSHCA cannot/should not attempt to erect standards, it should definitely take a keen interest in the standards process. Perhaps, for example, OSHCA should join HL7 and Corba. John Joseph Dal Molin wrote: > > I am finding the discussions lately are giving me lots of insights on how > I would more clearly define OSHCA. Simplicity is its core. > > Insight number one: it is impossible to speak on > behalf of OSHCA as I see OSHCA as 95% process and 5% form....we can talk > about it and do presentations or write papers about it but no one can > represent it (not even me who's dumb idea it was). > > Second insight: There are several of conditions for collaborative species to > succesfully invade populations of highly competitive non-collaborative > species (see Robert Axelrod's superb book The Evolution of Cooperation). Two > important conditions are that collaborative species need to be able to find > each > other and they need to be able to recognize each other as collaborative > species. > > So I see OSHCA as... > both a watering hole where it is easy to find species who share the same > values, and, a label, like "you know what inside", The OSHCA label quickly > tells you that you are dealing with the same species which makes it easier > to form alliances and collaborate effectively. I don't see this being done > by an OSHCA accreditation bureaucracy....rather one can simply choose to > join OSHCA without anyone's permission. If a member does not practice the > OSHCA > values then peer pressure will either encourage them to get back on track or > they will be ostracized....natural selection will do its thing. > > The interesting thing about the internet is that the process of trust and > collaboration can > be dramatically accelerated andsimplified .....more on this in my upcoming > book, > "How the Internet Makes the Planet a Better Place to Live...." :-) > > Cheers, > > Joseph > > Joseph Dal Molin > Minoru Development Corporation > 416.232.1206 Office > 416.818.9156 Cellular > www.openhealth.com
