fOSSa 2011 Conference

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The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) is a member of the Eupleridae, a family of carnivorans closely related to the mongoose family (Herpestidae).It is the largest mammalian carnivore on the island of Madagascar. (The largest carnivore on Madagascar is the Nile crocodile.)

The fossa is a very agile animal. It can leap from tree to tree and displays a squirrel-like agility. It can wield its tail like a tightrope walker's pole and moves so swiftly through the trees that scientists have had trouble observing and researching it.

The fossa is extremely catlike in appearance and behavior; it is often likened to the clouded leopard, a feline native to southeast Asia.

Recent observations indicate the fossa may not be as nocturnal as was once thought. The rarity of this animal likely contributed to the belief that the fossa is entirely nocturnal, but recent scientific study has found that it is active both during the day and night.

Sources from Wikipedia & National Geographic

So what?

1. The Fossa which was believed to live only during the night appeared to also have a daylight activity, that can be a metaphor for the increasing exposure of the OSS,
2. The Fossa stands at mid-way between several species so a new class had been created for him, that could be an illustration of the specific properties of OSS business models,
3. The Fossa has got some striking physical characteristics that makes it easily remembered : he has bear-like round ears and a long and thick tail that represent half his length.

Think about OSS developpers, Hackers, Volonteers, Geeks, … Don't you find our heroes similar to the fOSSa animal?