Among the resources on the OSWG Web site are several mailing lists, a links list and a bookshelf. These resources tie together to complement the group’s main undertaking, the Open Source Documentation Index.

Open Source Documentation Index

The Open Source Documentation Index (OSDI) is an effort to put together a comprehensive “card catalogue” of Open Source-related documentation.

“For the most part we’re trying to index technical documentation for Linux, Open Source, and other Free software,” according to the Web site. Documentation can include relevant articles, books, guides, FAQs, how-tos, manuals, and papers. The OSDI indexes documents that are available online, and are either licensed under an Open Source or Open Content license, or that are about Open Source software or related issues. You can search the OSDI by keyword, subject, or category.

What’s Next?

By creating a central point of contact for volunteers and projects and providing a forum where project workers can exchange ideas, the OSWG is attempting to eliminate the “needle in the haystack” dilemma that Open Source projects can find themselves confronted with.

Goals for the OSWG include developing a cooperative relationship with the Open Source Research Team that is part of MetaLab and similar groups. The OSWG would also like to host an open content documentation conference, and early planning for this event has already begun. The group also wants to act as a central organization through which a documentation-grant program can be initiated.

Anyone who would like to get involved or has ideas or feedback about how the OSWG could better fulfill its primary goal of improving the quality and quantity of Open Source/open-content documentation should email editor@oswg.org or visit the Web site.