I'm sure I'm not the only one, but I expressed concern over MPower developing a closed community in a previous analysis of the MPower strategy. When I spoke with the VP on the phone before, he mentioned that this is something that had been discussed within the organization and MPower's decision was that they had decided to close it and I was disappointed. I said...

At best, this shrinks the potential community size and at worst it could be their down fall. I've seen in the communities that I've been involved in that the smaller the community the less useful it is and the smaller pool of interested developers you have to work with. In order for the community, and thereby the objectives of the community, to really blossom as many minds as possible need to interact. By closing this community, I think less people will be likely to dip their toe in the water to try it out which is likely to lead to less people actually going for a swim. I see it as a wall to adoption that might prevent the growth they need to complete the full transition they need to make. I sure hope that doesn't happen.

The good news is that they've changed their minds. I received this news in a personal email from the VP I spoke with before. It seems they are open to input from sources outside the organization. They get the open source philosophy and are interested in becoming a part of the community. They are starting to understand that the community can't be owned, just facilitated. I think this is a really positive development.

The next hurdle will be actually finding the community. If you find out how to get into the forums, please post a link in the comments. I don't think they've actually acted on this decision yet. I'd like to see what the community looks like and maybe participate some if I have anything to add.