It's always interesting to read a discussion about free-software concepts (or, in this case, the somewhat-connected open database concept) when it takes place way outside of the "normal" "tech" community.

I've seen a few of those durign my forays into automotive software. Here's a brand-new one about nautical survey data:
http://www.panbo.com/archives/2015/03/shouldnt_our_community_sourced_marine_data_be_open_to_all_developers.html

As you'd expect, mapping equipment makers collect depth readings from the hardware devices their customers install and run (on the customers' own boats), then they want to charge those customers for access to the generated maps.

The post author and many commenters seem to get why they shouldn't be OK with that arrangement, but the defenders of the practice are the real interesting reading. Assuming, that is, that they're real and not astroturfers.

#OpenSeaMap