[TUHS] Re: Fwd: [simh] Announcing the Open SIMH project

[Will Senn <will.senn@gmail.com>]

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Hear! Hear! I'd say it's about time, but that might be impolitic. This 
is fantastic news and bodes well for my favorite sim's future.

Thanks for the heads up,

Will

On 6/3/22 3:00 PM, Clem Cole wrote:
> Announcing the Open SIMH project
>
> SIMH is a framework and family of computer simulators, initiated by 
> Bob Supnik and continued with contributions (large and small) from 
> many others, with the primary goal of enabling the preservation of 
> knowledge contained in, and providing the ability to 
> execute/experience, old/historic software via simulation of the 
> hardware on which it ran. This goal has been successfully achieved and 
> has for these years created a diverse community of users and developers.
>
> This has mapped to some core operational principles:
>
> First, preserve the ability to run old/historically significant 
> software. This means functionally accurate, sometimes bug-compatible, 
> but not cycle-accurate, simulation.
>
> Second, make it reasonably easy to add new simulators for other 
> hardware while leveraging common functions between the simulators.
>
> Third, exploit the software nature of simulation and make SIMH 
> convenient for debugging a simulated system, by adding non-historical 
> features to the environment.
>
> Fourth, make it convenient for users to explore old system 
> environments, with as close to historical interfaces, by mapping them 
> to new features that modern host operating systems provide.
>
> Fifth, be inclusive of people and new technology. It's serious work, 
> but it should be fun.
>
> Previously, we unfortunately never spent the time to codify how we 
> would deliver on these concepts. Rather, we have relied on an informal 
> use of traditional free and open-source principles.
>
> Recently a situation has arisen that compromises some of these 
> principles and thus the entire status of the project, creating 
> consternation among many users and contributors.
>
> For this reason, a number of us have stepped up to create a new 
> organizational structure, which we call "The Open SIMH Project", to be 
> the keeper and provide formal governance for the SIMH ecosystem going 
> forward.  While details of the structure and how it operates are 
> likely to be refined over time, what will not change is our commitment 
> to maintaining SIMH as a free and open-source project, licensed under 
> an MIT-style license as shown on the "simh" repository page.
>
> It is our desire that all of the past users and contributors will come 
> to recognize that the new organizational structure is in the best 
> interests of the community at large and that they will join us in it. 
> However, this iproject as defined, is where we intend to contribute 
> our expertise and time going forward.  At this point, we have in place 
> the following, although we foresee other resources being added in the 
> future as we identify the need and execute against them:
>
> A Github "organization" for the project at https://github.com/open-simh
>
> A Git repository for the simulators themselves at 
> https://github.com/open-simh/simh
>
> The license for the SIMH simulator code base, found in LICENSE.txt in 
> the top level of the "simh" repository.
>
> The "SIMH related tools" in https://github.com/open-simh/simtools. 
> This is also licensed under MIT style or BSD style open source 
> licenses (which are comparable apart from some minor wording differences).
>
> A "SIMH Steering Group" -- project maintainers and guides.
>
> The conventional git style process is used for code contributions, via 
> pull request to the project repository. The Steering Group members 
> have approval authority; this list is likely to change and grow over time.
>
> By formalizing the underlying structure, our operational principles 
> and guidance can best benefit the community. These are being developed 
> and formalized, with a plan to publish them soon.
>
> We have used our best judgment in setting up this structure but are 
> open to discussion and consideration of other ideas, and to making 
> improvements. Many of us have been part of different projects and 
> understand that past mistakes are real. We have tried to learn from 
> these experiences and apply the collected wisdom appropriately. We 
> desire to hear from the community as we update and refine the 
> operating structure for the Open SIMH project.
>
> We hope for your patience and look forward to your support as we work 
> to refine the organization and be able to provide this wonderful 
> resource for anyone to use as we continue to evolve the technology 
> provided by the SIMH system.
>
>      The SIMH Steering Group
>         Clem Cole
>         Richard Cornwell
>         Paul Koning
>         Timothe Litt
>         Seth Morabito
>         Bob Supnik
>
>
> ᐧ
> ᐧ
> ᐧ

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