How can I open-source my software project and keep control?
open-source
Solution
I've gone through this cycle myself, and can tell you you're way out in front of the horse with the cart. Not to sound harsh, but there's a frame of reference you should definitely gain.
First, "control my own open source project" -- is conflicting. Open Source involves giving something away, in this case to a community. So, thinking about control and ownership of something you've given away is a mental hurdle you need to cross.
Second, you need someone other than yourself willing to participate in your project. Without them, you won't have anyone to divert any direction and vision you might have.
Third, control in terms of project guidance is earned in any open source projects with any sort of following. It doesn't matter if you're the original developer with the initial idea; if the community is willing to follow your guidance, they will. If not, they'll simply not participate.
Enough soapbox. In terms of project management, divide the role into two functions: 1) Getting developers involved, taking on tasks, code reviews, guidance and direction, etc. Trust me, this is as much a sales job as it is credibility-based. Top-down, hierarchical, seniority-based I-was-here-first type of expectations is a sure-fire way to drive volunteers away from your project. 2) Repository logistics. In the end, you can control who are/are-not committers, their permissions, etc. If you do #1 well enough, this will take care of itself.
As a last bit of commentary, open source projects are not easy to get off the ground. There are more projects than people willing to put forth the amount of sustained effort necessary to give your project legs.
Good luck!
Problem
As many of us do, I have lots of software ideas, a couple of really good ones, and not enough time to do everything. (I am a developer, but only one). I would like to open source some software and ideas in progress but also retain direction and vision of the project. Up until now I've only worked in non-free-as-in-beer software and it escapes me how open source could meet my need for control of it. Let me be clear I don't intend to commercialize open-sourced projects for money. That much I know. I just want to have control of my vision which I start. To control my own open source project I would need to manage it by providing guidance but that facet escapes me also, about how to manage something that's effectively free. Am I barking up the wrong tree?