Open Sourcing CommunityViz?

Several colleagues have forwarded me this recent letter from CommunityViz, which suggests: "The software will in the near future be made available at little or no cost. (This offering will include Scenario 360 v2.1 and later, and SiteBuilder 3D for CommunityViz.) We are in the process of exploring the logistics of this exciting new mode of distribution."

1 minute read

October 30, 2004, 8:10 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

Several colleagues have forwarded me this recent letter from CommunityViz, which suggests:

Sample 3-D image from CV

"The software will in the near future be made available at little or no cost. (This offering will include Scenario 360 v2.1 and later, and SiteBuilder 3D for CommunityViz.) We are in the process of exploring the logistics of this exciting new mode of distribution."

and then in the FAQ:

"It is our hope that the user community will grow considerably as a result of the new distribution model."

It appears that CommunityViz plans to provide paid support, but will no longer be offering consulting services, instead relying on third-party partners.

Could this be a step toward open sourcing CommunityViz?

(CommunityViz is a groundbreaking planning support system that makes it much easier to develop 3-D and analysis models for planning.)

Chris Steins

Chris Stines is Planetizen's former Editor and the founder of Urban Insight, a leading digital agency. Chris has 25 years of experience in technology consulting and urban planning and has served as a consultant to public sector state, county, and local agencies, Fortune 500 private firms, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations.

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