Outercurve Foundation: History and Impact on Open Source
The Outercurve Foundation was an independent non-profit corporation designed to bridge the gap between corporate software development and the open-source community. Established as a 501(c)(6) organization, its primary mission was to facilitate the exchange of code and technical understanding between software companies and open-source developers worldwide.
Key Facts
- Founded: September 10, 2009 (originally as the CodePlex Foundation).
- Dissolved: April 22, 2017.
- Founder: Microsoft.
- Legal Status: Non-profit foundation.
- Executive Director: Erynn Petersen.
- Primary Purpose: Educational and open-source enablement.
From CodePlex to Outercurve
The organization began its journey on September 10, 2009, under the name CodePlex Foundation. In its early stages, the foundation was led primarily by Microsoft employees and affiliates. This close tie to Microsoft led to skepticism within the free software community, with some critics viewing the initiative as a subversive attempt to increase developer dependency on Windows and other proprietary Microsoft software.
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To address these concerns and broaden its appeal, the organization rebranded as the Outercurve Foundation in September 2010. This transition was accompanied by significant structural changes in November 2010, including updates to the by-laws and an expansion of the board of directors. These moves transformed Outercurve into a generalized, low-overhead foundation capable of serving a wider array of projects and organizations within the free and open-source ecosystem.
Contributions to the Software Ecosystem
Throughout its existence, Outercurve managed several software projects, many of which were closely integrated with the .NET Framework. The foundation acted as a steward for critical tools before they transitioned to other entities. Notably, Outercurve contributed several high-impact projects to the .NET Foundation, including:
- NuGet: A package manager for .NET.
- Kudu: A deployment service.
- ASP.NET AJAX library: A framework for creating rich interactive web applications.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Formation Date | September 10, 2009 |
| Dissolution Date | April 22, 2017 |
| Original Name | CodePlex Foundation |
| Legal Type | 501(c)(6) Non-profit |
| Region Served | Worldwide |
The Dissolution of the Foundation
After nearly eight years of operation, the directors of the Outercurve Foundation decided to close the organization. Articles of dissolution were officially filed with the Washington Secretary of State on April 22, 2017, marking the end of the foundation's legal existence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main goal of the Outercurve Foundation?
Its goal was to enable the exchange of code and understanding between software companies and open-source communities.
Who founded the Outercurve Foundation?
The foundation was founded by Microsoft, initially appearing as the CodePlex Foundation.
Why did the foundation change its name from CodePlex to Outercurve?
The name change occurred in September 2010 to move away from the perception that the foundation was merely a tool for Microsoft and to better serve the broader free and open-source community.
Which major projects were contributed to the .NET Foundation?
The foundation contributed NuGet, Kudu, and the ASP.NET AJAX library to the .NET Foundation.
When did the Outercurve Foundation officially cease operations?
The foundation was dissolved on April 22, 2017, following the filing of articles of dissolution with the Washington Secretary of State.