[Linux-aus] question without notice

[Brenda Aynsley]

Hi folks

As you might have noticed in my infrequent posts to the list that I am 
the chair of the IFIP International Professional Practice Partnership 
(IP3) (www.ipthree.org).  Our mission is to create

"A global partnership that will define international standards of 
professionalism in ICT; create an infrastructure that will encourage and 
support the development of both ICT practitioners and employer 
organisations; and give recognition to those who meet and maintain the 
required standards for knowledge, experience, competence and integrity."

I have been invited to speak on the topic of "Professional Certification 
for FOSS engineers and practitioners" early next year and I wanted to 
canvas views on what that means to you who are in the field living this 
experience?

Without wanting to prejudice the conversation, my view is that it 
doesn't matter which paradigm you embrace in computing and ICT, to be a 
professional can and should be defined in the same way. But is it 
different to 'main stream and proprietary' engineers and practitioners? 
  If so how does it differ?

What are the elements that would make the FOSS practitioner a professional?

Is it technical skills and mastery?  Is that enough?  Does Project 
Management and business acumen factor into it?  What else?

Can a one person business as some FOSS practitioners are, ever be 
defined as professional?

Anyway I would welcome your contribution to the discussion and if you 
have a definition of the 'FOSS professional' and you'd like to share it, 
I'd be keen to hear it.

I am about to ask this same question on Linuxsa and OSIA so if you see 
it there, just ignore it.

Many thanks
brenda

-- 
Brenda Aynsley FACS, CP
Chairman IP3 http://www.ipthree.org/
Mobile:+61(0) 412 662 988 || Skype/Yahoo/Twitter: baynsley
Phone:+61(0)8 7127 0107 Fax:+61(0)8 8272 7486
Mobile when I am out of Australia: +372 5408 0036
--
IFIP IP3. The partnership defining the global standard in ICT 
professionalism
-- 
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