[AstroPy] astropy in Debian, Scientific Linux?

[Steve Crawford]

I'm a member of Division B although I'm not sure how much that should/could help.   However, if we put together a petition/statement then I'm happy to try to push it through in that direction.   I also know Jeff Percival (on the SOFA board) very well, and I'll get in touch with him.   I haven't been following this particularly closely and not sure if I understand all the details, but if someone can send me a summary of the changes we would like, I'd be happy to help as I can.   

----- Original Message -----
> From: "James Turner" <jturner at gemini.edu>
> To: astropy at scipy.org
> Sent: Monday, 15 April, 2013 8:00:57 PM
> Subject: Re: [AstroPy] astropy in Debian, Scientific Linux?
> 
> > In my opinion the best idea is to create a petition. It seems my
> > mail wasn't
> > very effective
> 
> +1. Individuals whining obviously aren't going to get anywhere.
> It needs to be made clear to the IAU that it isn't serving the
> best interests of its community and that the future of progress
> in data processing is in open source.
> 
> The other thing would be to persuade a different part of IAU to
> take up the cause, eg. SOFA comes under division A (fundamental
> astronomy) whereas data science is division B. This discussion
> should be driven by top-level considerations as to what
> astronomers need, not theoretical logistical concerns. It won't
> matter what people think of SOFA if no-one uses it -- and as
> someone (Sergio?) mentioned, it's worth pointing out the anomaly
> that anyone can write software that appears to be the original
> SOFA as long as it *isn't* (and therefore bound by their
> licence), rendering the naming restrictions fairly pointless.
> 
> Anyone here a member? I spot only a handful of people I know
> under their division listings.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> James.
> 
> 
> > 2013/4/8 Tom Aldcroft <aldcroft at head.cfa.harvard.edu
> > <mailto:aldcroft at head.cfa.harvard.edu>>
> >
> >     Sergio,
> >
> >     I wonder if it might be worth trying again with SOFA.  Things
> >     are a
> >     little different now since at this point there are real users
> >     that are
> >     unable to use our (and their) software because of their
> >     license.  This
> >     is very frustrating.
> >
> >     I wonder if we could organize a petition in support of
> >     modifying the
> >     SOFA license to something more consistent with typical
> >     community
> >     standards.  I mean the IAU is supposed to be representing and
> >     benefiting astronomers, no?
> >
> >     Thanks,
> >     Tom
> >
> >
> >
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