Open Source Basics: Definitions, Models, and Questions Johndan Johnson-Eilola Clarkson University
22 October 2002Johnson-Eilola2 Open Source Software (OSS) Definitions and Examples Broader Potentials of OSS Concepts for TC
22 October 2002Johnson-Eilola3 Politicized Definitions
22 October 2002Johnson-Eilola4 Free Software Freedom to run program Freedom to study and adapt Freedom to redistribute copies Freedom to improve and redistribute
22 October 2002Johnson-Eilola5 Open Source Software Concerns about confusion over term “Free” “A marketing program for free software.”
22 October 2002Johnson-Eilola6 GNU License GNU: “GNU is Not Unix” Hacking copyright law: Requires modifications to code to be released under GPL
22 October 2002Johnson-Eilola7 Open Standards Governing body develops and releases standards (e.g., HTML) Allows different organizations to code to standards
22 October 2002Johnson-Eilola8 Shared Source Individual organization allows selected or all developers to see code (but not modify, redistribute, etc.) Improves interactions among programs
22 October 2002Johnson-Eilola9 Implications for Doc Opportunities for Developing Open Source Documentation and Help Relocating Value: From Programming to Communication and Support
22 October 2002Johnson-Eilola10 Developing Doc for Open Source Linux struggling for desktop penetration Most doc for open source very primitive or non-existent Interfaces often assume experts Possibilities for professional organizations, student groups
22 October 2002Johnson-Eilola11 GIMP Interface
22 October 2002Johnson-Eilola12 GIMP Interface Detail
22 October 2002Johnson-Eilola13 Relocating Value Historical hierarchy elevating programming above documentation/usability (slow shifts) Many OSS business models founded on idea that support and training are worth more than software