OSOR.EU - Virtual Forges
This page provides all the necessary information on what a Virtual Forge is, who can request the creation of it and what can you do with it.
The Virtual Forge Video
In order to better understand what is a virtual forge, we have prepared a video so that you can see its functionality and the possibility of customize its graphic layout. To see the video please follow the link hereVirtual Forge - What is it?
The goal of OSOR.eu project is to facilitate the re-use and collaborative development of OSS applications used by public administrations, by providing a repository and meeting place to exchange code and best practice.
To encourage local and national initiatives to gather OSS for reuse, from the very beginning the OSOR.eu platform itself was downloadable from our Repository. However, setting up and operating a Forge can very demanding both from a financial and a human resource point of view. The OSOR.eu project wanted to offer a solution, where member states / local organizations lacking a local OSS repository to support their administration(s) could provide one easily and quickly, concentrating on the content and support, without having to worry about the infrastructure. Our solution is the OSOR Virtual Forge Service
The Virtual Forge is a website that provides a view on Your own projects in the OSOR.EU repository. The users who will visit your Virtual Forge will have the impression that it is a self-supporting repository of its own. In reality you are well connected to it and all your projects are hosted in the OSOR.EU repository.
Why the user would think to be in a different repository? Because you can customize your look and feel and use your own Domain Name complete separate by the OSOR.EU. It looks like a new repository is born!
The virtual forge will bring you the following advantages:
- You are using OSOR.EU capacity in terms of disk space and bandwidth.
- You do not have to install anything.
- You do not have to troubleshoot anything.
- You do not have to upgrade anything.
- You will have a 99% of availability of service.
- You will have the OSOR.EU team support.
- Users who will visit your virtual forge will see only your own projects.
- You can use your brand and your look and feel - and also your language.
- Your projects will be visible from your virtual forge but also from OSOR.EU
This will give the projects hosted in your virtual forge high visibility from the very beginning
And much more...
Who is entitled to request a Virtual Forge?
In order to have a Virtual Forge you need to be a Public Administration or a FLOSS Community that has a certain number of projects. We are restricting the creation of such service for organizations which are capable of providing at least 5 FLOSS projects.
Before you submit your request please read the Terms Of Use of the Virtual Forge
You can request the creation of your Virtual Forge filling out the form that you will find here.
What Project can I insert in "my" Virtual Forge?
Because the virtual forge is a view of the OSOR.EU repository, all
the rules and regulations of the OSOR.EU will apply also to your Virtual Forge projects. So all the projects that are compliant with the Virtual Forge 10 Principles will be inserted in your Virtual Forge.
All projects, that are not compliant with the Virtual Forge 10 Principles or not relevant for a public administration, will be rejected.
How do I approve my Projects?
The user who would like to insert his/her project in the Virtual Forge in reality is using the OSOR Project registration form. So the approval process is handled by the OSOR.EU team in close collaboration with the administrator of the Virtual Forge. The OSOR.eu team will make its decision strictly on the basis of whether the project meets Virtual Forge 10 Principles of using the platform. Please find the below image that explains in details the flow:
If you would like to consult the 10 principles Virtual Forge please follow the link (ODT File) here
Who is managing the Virtual Forge?
The OSOR.EU team will manage all the technical aspect of your Virtual Forge. All the projects that will submitted to your Virtual Forge are analyzed and checked by the OSOR.EU technical team that will evaluate with you if a project is fitted to be inserted in your Virtual Forge.
Can I customize it?
Yes absolutely. You can customize it and recreate the look and feel of your website, inserting your logo etc.
Please follow the link hereto a standard cascade style sheet that is needed in order to customize the look and feel of your Virtual Forge. You can customized and send it to us and we will apply it to apply it to your Virtual Forge so that you will start immediately with your image.
Can I create a Virtual Forge with a non-English interface and content?
Yes absolutely. Our service supports the creation of customized content (project taxonomy, menus, native language project description, registration forms, etc). However OSOR.eu will just provide you the architecture for this - you will need to do the actual translation yourself.
Can I use my own domain?
Yes of course. It is just a configuration in our Domain Name System and you can run your Virtual Forge under your domain. It will look like as if you have a repository on your own.
How long does it take to have my own Virtual Forge?
After processing your request that it is normally done in 24 hours, depending on the amount of request, you will be able to use the service after 5 working days.
Please if you have more question about this service please do not hesitate to contact us
The OSOR.EU Team.
