State Governments Embrace Open Source

The Government Open Code Collaborative (GOCC) -- a partnership of state and local governments -- was launched earlier this month to pioneer the shared use of open source software.  The initiative, prompted by Massachusetts state IT officials who were frustrated about the inability to share code within the public sector, involves building an Internet repository for such common applications as systems to automate drivers-license testing, management of incarcerated populations, and on-line permitting.  By sharing resources, GOCC expects to slash both the time and cost of providing public services.  Diane Cabell, director of the Berkman Center's Clinical Program, supervised clinical students Alba Bozo, Devon Bush and Mark Zuckerman in the development of legal resources used by the initiative, including a guide to open source licenses.