The Haves and Have-Nots: Open source ideas without the skills
I had a discussion recently with Mike about his ideas on open-source concept mmog's. My only real argument was that to make something open-source was still only opening the possibilities of change and participation to those who had the skills to do so. I admit that my understanding of open-source is quite rudementary, but if i wanted to contribute to the structure and direction of my community (in terms of the mmog scenario) i would not have the technical ability to do so.

A year after gamecode's TikiWiki woes, i am learning to appreciate what Mike was trying to offer us as a group. The ability of each member to add to and develop the space with a relatively small learning curve is a step in the right direction. At times, I resent having to go through those who have the skills to get my ideas online. This is in no way a diss to the people who have worked hard on our group's site, but I miss the freedom to add at will on the tiki wiki and it made me think a bit more about what mike was saying recently about why couldnt we offer players the tools to 'make' their own avatars... why do our choices have to be from a stable of predesigned (and limited) characters... i am told its not truly a technological limitation but a design choice.

More on this later....work calls