From the 'How Many Open Source Groups Do We Need?' files:

Back in February of 2007, I wrote about a new open source group called the Open Solutions Alliance (OSA) that was just getting started.

Over the last two and a half years, I've followed up with them a couple of times to make sure they were still alive. You see, I have this basic view, that most open source groups announced at conferences don't last very long.

In the case of the OSA, their lifespan was under three years. The OSA is now merging with another group (that I've never heard off before today) called the OW2 Consortium. The two groups are forming a new group that has yet to be officially named.

"When you look at each organization's strengths in technology and market presence, as well as the global positioning of our members, OSA and OW2 look like two puzzle pieces waiting to be put together," said Cedric Thomas, OW2 CEO in a statement. "We can do much more together than apart, and a combined entity will provide a single voice for open source worldwide and a unique global pool of open source resources."

Time will tell if Thomas' sentiments turn out to be accurate.