Add curated content on how to grow software projects in DOE/National Labs

[tgamblin]

DOE doesn't have sustainability initiatives focused on long-term software products (that I know of). AFAIK larger projects are mostly programmatic and depend mainly on sometimes short-term research funding.

Make a how-to on growing software projects within the DOE. Ideas:

• discretionary funding sources at the labs
  • often this is reserved for maintenance/sustaining existing capabilities, NOT research
• LDRD, ASCR, other traditionally research-focused funding sources
• SBIR
• subcontracts, and companies that can help (Kitware, Krell, others)
  • can be cheaper than hiring within the labs
• communication channels for advertising software within DOE
  • who to talk to, where to present so that people find out about software
  • potential focus area for facility liaisons -- spreading the word.
• software release and licensing at the labs
  • who to talk to, what to be aware of when releasing software at the labs
  • potential link for how to choose a license.
• How to lower barriers for external DOE contributors.

I'd like to work with others on this as I don't have the internal perspective on labs other than LLNL.

[rinkug]

I like the premise of this how-to article, provided we get authors from other labs who have knowledge on this topic. Note this is an old proposal from Todd Gamblin..if we get enough thumbs up, we will then need to re-check if Todd wants to pursue this or if there is another author willing to pickup this topic

[prwolfe]

I could have used such an article several times through the years. I am less sure how to find the cast of people needed for such an expansive article :->

[rinkug]

@prwolfe Would it still be useful for newcomers and new scientists, though?

[prwolfe]

@prwolfe Would it still be useful for newcomers and new scientists, though?

Yes.

[bernhold]

I'm concerned that the audience for this is too narrow for BSSw.

[pagrubel]

David: "I'm concerned that the audience for this is too narrow for BSSw."
I also could have used this article and probably still can, but David's point is valid.

[bernhold]

Well, I voted against the topic, but the majority of votes are in favor. So why should we close it?