Q: How will this compare with other open source foundations?

Other foundations are targeted at particular projects, platforms, or applications, such as Firefox and the Mozilla Foundation, or Gnome and the Gnome Foundation. We wanted a foundation that addresses a full spectrum of software projects, and does so with the licensing and intellectual property needs of commercial software companies in mind. Having said that, we expect the Codeplex Foundation to be complimentary to, and not competitive with, other open source foundations. One measure of our success will be if other foundations experience an increase in participation from commercial software developers because of us.

Q: How are you engaging open source communities to get their feedback and support?

We've sought a Board of Directors and Advisory Board that includes people known and respected in the open source community. We expect to engage the community in a significant part of planning the final form of the foundation, including the determination of permanent board members, additions to the board of advisors, modifications to the by-laws and other governing documents, and the creation of a Charter for the Foundation.

Q: Are there any other software companies involved in the Foundation?

Other companies are involved initially through representation on the Board of Directors and Advisory Board. Over time other software companies will join as sponsors of the foundation. And of course we expect over time that many of the foundation's open source projects will involve companies besides Microsoft.

Q: Who will determine which projects are selected as CodePlex Foundation projects? Will there be an RFP, RFT or RFC process?

The Foundation Charter will spell out the types of projects that the Foundation works with, and the types of relationships projects may have to the foundation. There will be a clearly documented application process, and project review will ultimately be the responsibility of the board of directors.

Q: Are projects required to use the Foundation's model contribution and license agreements?

No, these agreements are optional. We have made them available because (a) we know there are projects that will want to use them, and (b) these model agreements serve as a good, concrete example of how the Foundation can define a unique and beneficial relationship with projects. We are certainly open to expanding our portfolio of model agreements based on project needs, and we are certainly willing to work individually with projects to define the right kind of affiliation between Foundation and project.

Q: Who may become a member?

While the Codeplex Foundation is not currently structured as a membership organization, there are a number of ways for individuals, companies and projects to participate in the Foundation. One way is to sponsor, and another way is to become a member of the board, or board of advisors. Over the coming months, the board will also be determining how projects get accepted as they define project governance, which will provide clarity on how individuals or companies can contribute projects.