Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2010/07/20/symbian_dev_co/

Symbian fans to get Foundation voice

But are there enough to form a choir?

By Bill Ray

Posted in Networks, 20th July 2010 10:32 GMT

Individuals desperate to be more involved in the evolution of Symbian can now get their voice heard thanks to a new free developers' community with Foundation membership.

The Symbian Foundation, the body responsible for holding together the now-open-source OS, has always welcomed companies (and their membership fees), but individuals have had to rely on their employer's membership to get a voice heard. Not any more, as anyone is now free to join Symbian DevCo, a co-op that itself is a member of the 'Foundation.

Membership of the Symbian Foundation costs companies $1500 a year, though the DevCo didn't have to pay that and its running costs are being met by the Foundation. The idea is that individuals can join the DevCo and vote on issues they want raised at Foundation meetings, such votes being subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

A cynic might suggest that this is a response to a lack of input from the member companies and is an effort to fill more seats at meetings, but given the enthusiasm with which most of the mobile industry attends meetings that seems unlikely. What's more important to Symbian is bringing the fans together, mostly to remind them that they don't stand alone. Lots of members would be good PR, even if most of them don't go on to contribute significantly.

Having said that, a small membership could prove embarrassing - right now there are only 22 members which doesn't bode well, though it's early days. Membership requests are reviewed, but the DevCo says it will only reject them if the profile or photograph is obscene, so if you've any interest in the future of Symbian then sign up – we're all keen to know how many of you there are. ®