Renewing our commitment to NETMF!

Gus_Issa · November 4, 2016, 7:09am

@ Brett - it is sad how the netmf situation reflects on our software quality. Users don’t realize we are the first company ever to port netmf completely to a new processor. We were the first company to offer file system on netmf. We were the first with usb host… Usb cam… Sqlite…in field update… RLP.

Thankfully, we are now leaping forward and you all will receive a complete “GHI” quality product, without any third party involvement.

Gus_Issa · November 4, 2016, 7:11am

@ SouthernStars - we are a phone call away to any commercial customer.

hunghp · November 4, 2016, 4:57pm

@ njbuch - The project is a mobile telemetry device that is responsible for routing real-time data traffic to their proper cloud applications. The data are from wireless/wired sensors and other devices such as PLC. It is GPS enabled and the main pipe for data to reach their cloud apps is cellular.
This device is basically the main gateway for bi-directional communication and control for most of our products and some third party products.
The device can be use for mobile applications or stationary applications. The device is currently installed on a dozen of 18 wheeler trucks that carry pharmaceutical products. So far, so good.

Bec_a_Fuel · November 5, 2016, 8:33am

I did not see anything about open-source in this thread. What will be GHI’s position regarding this ?
Will there be a closed-source GHIMF only or will you provide something similar to the current NETMF Github ?

_Peter · November 5, 2016, 9:25am

I reckon it is way too much to ask (I’ll do it anyway) but it would be nice, if not aweseome, or even more, to be able to have the possibility to choose between a clean netmf (without the GHI very cool features in it) and the full fletched [em]GHIMF[/em] with all the wistles and bells you ever dreamed of but were afraid to ask for …

Gus_Issa · November 5, 2016, 11:07am

@ .Peter. @ Bec a Fuel- I am not answering this question and not leading one way or another. But netmf is open source and has been for years. Everyone is invited to grab the code and improve upon as they see fit. In the GHI case, we are focused on our corporate customer’s needs. If that means one way or another, we would be heading in that direction.

Bec_a_Fuel · November 5, 2016, 3:20pm

By definition, hobbyists are not “corporate customers”. So, to me, the direction is quite clear

Gus_Issa · November 5, 2016, 4:17pm

@ Bec a Fuel - is it?! :think:

jordanmills · November 5, 2016, 10:56pm

Sad to hear about gadgeteer, but I understand the reasons for the decision. I’d been starting to wonder when netMF would be declared dead. I guess it won’t be dead, just the MS support of it.

Bec_a_Fuel · November 6, 2016, 3:18am

Yes, I think so.
That said, I will gladly accept to be wrong.

Gus_Issa · November 6, 2016, 7:08am

Please read this news post again. It is talking about NETMF moving forward…strongly moving forward.

jordanmills · November 8, 2016, 3:28pm

Please read my post again. It is talking about NETMF not being dead despite previous assumption.

willgeorge · November 9, 2016, 4:27pm

I found this by accident… A good read about NETMF.

github.com/NETMF/netmf-interpreter

Manifest for .NETMF (the current state and the future we want for it)

opened 12:17PM - 10 Aug 16 UTC

josesimoes

Discussion

This is the result of an ongoing reflection with a bunch of .NETMF friends/suppo…rters/users that's been happening in the past weeks. Understand that we are doing this with a positive and constructive attitude. We are not grumping or saying it just because we want to criticize. Considerations and the current state: - NETMF is a truly awesome framework with an incredible potential for commercial, hobbyist and learning scenarios. - Microsoft (for reasons that are not perfectly clear or made public) hasn’t be showing any love for this project for quite some time. - The move to GitHub was supposed to improve the community engagement and make the workflow easier. After more than one year none of that has become a reality. - Right now, as someone nicely put it, NETMF is going through an Ice Age. It sure looks like a zombie project, wandering and headed to nowhere. - NETMF announces itself as an "Open Source" project. Considering all the implications and ramifications that designation carries, this is not the reality we can see today. - There are a lot of smart, valuable and knowledgeable people out there who are willing to contribute. Those should be encouraged to do so and brought on board. What should change: - NETMF should become a true "Open Source" project. Steered by the community involved and managed by a team of people. - There should be a full team behind it. With roles assigned, clear tasks defined and expectations set. - A roadmap should exist. The community must have a saying on the direction of the project, what features are required, what needs to be changed or improved. - Issues should be answered and handled in a timely and respectful fashion. Pull requests should be encouraged and evaluated with a positive and constructive attitude. Contributions should be encouraged and cherished. - Microsoft (probably through the .NET Foundation) should be asked for their open support. Institutional support, that's for sure. But not only. Ideally they should be asked to contribute by marketing NETMF, making noise about it, mention it in Channel 9, Twitter, blogs and such. It wouldn’t hurt to commit a few more people to the project. - NETMF should be brought under the spot light, front and centre. Needs to be shown and be seen by makers, schools, universities and companies. Needs to be mentioned in the social networks. Needs to show that it's alive and has potential. A lot of potential!

I await GHI surprise. Could it be…?

Gus_Issa · November 9, 2016, 5:03pm

This is a good read, the entire thread. For example “.NET Micro Framework isn’t really a Microsoft “product”, and hasn’t been one for many years now.”.