Re: Open-source MRI hardware initiative project
Hi Lionel,
On Sat, Apr 09, 2016 at 04:19:35PM +0000, Broche, Lionel wrote:
> I am a researcher in MRI hardware at the University of Aberdeen,
> Scotland. I am currently working on the development of a completely new
> type of MRI system (see ffc-mri.org), but I would like to avoid the
> traditional route of commercialisation as I see many problems with it.
> Instead, I have been thinking for a while of preparing an initiative for
> the development of open-source hardware in MRI.
Sounds very interesting. We really appreciate this effort.
> The aim of this initiative would be, in a first stage, to pool the
> technical solutions already in the public domain
Nitpicking note: There is a difference between Free Software and Public
Domain. For instance if you really want to be sure that your code will
remain open you should choose a license like GPL and not Public Domain.
> together so as to help
> small research labs like mine and, in a second stage, to create a rally
> point for these labs to share knowledge, resources and to organise
> collective work. If this proves successful, it may expand into a
> complete open source MRI hardware platform but that would be in the far
> future. I already approached several research groups who expressed their
> enthusiasm about this idea so there would be several academic
> participants to start with (at least 3, probably 5 to 8), and some of
> them are already willing to provide some designs.
>
> I would like to get some advices from the Debian Med community regarding
> several aspects:
> - What solution would you think is the most appropriate to organise a
> community portal? I do not have any IT help from my University on this
> project but I am willing to put a bit of my own money to get a server
> somewhere if necessary. Bear in mind that I have little training on how
> to maintain a website, though I can take some time to learn.
I personally do not feel competent to answer this question.
> - I know there is an active part of Debian Med that works on MRI
> software (and make great things, actually!), would any of them be
> interested in this initiative? If yes, what would you expect from it, or
> what would you be willing to provide at this stage?
I'm afraid we can not be of great help before you do some code release.
The Debian Med project is turning *existing* software into Debian
packages to make the software easily installable on users machines. We
also provide some quality assurance means.
> Also, would you have
> some recommendations so that open-sourced MRI hardware would easily
> interface with the already existing open-source software?
My personal insight in this specific field is to low to comment on this
question.
> - Would you have any suggestions regarding the conduct of such a
> project? I have no experience in the management of open source projects
> and I am actively looking for documentation about it. In particular, how
> can I organise this project so as to avoid bottlenecks in the future?
I can only give partial hints: Make sure your source code will be
available on some public Git repository (Gitlab, Github) and make sure
you will properly tag your (pre-)releases. Feel free to point us to
this repository to increase your chances that we might create Debian
packages.
> - Can you see any funding bodies that could be interested in this
> initiative, in the short to medium term?
Sorry, I have no idea about this. (We would also like to get some
funding. ;-))
> - Do you know of organisations that would be interested to know of this
> project or to provide guidance? I already plan to contact OSHWA and the
> CERN Open Hardware Repository, but I am sure there would be others who
> can help.
I do not know much about Open Hardware.
> - Where can I advertise this project efficiently? I am currently
> thinking about FOSDEM, if this sounds reasonable.
Yes, FOSDEM sounds good.
> That is all for the questions for now. Thanks for taking the time to
> read this, and congratulations to you all for the great work you do to
> maintain and develop the Debian Med project!
Thanks. Good luck with your project
Andreas.
--
http://fam-tille.de
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