Mortenson Center for International Library Programs … connecting librarians around the world Associates Program Fall 2007

Advantages of Open Source Software Professor Kristin Vogel Mortenson Center Instructor

Today’s Agenda Defining Open Source Software Philosophy & Process Open Source: ILS Open Source: Institutional Repositories Open Access & SPARC Open Source: IT & Office Productivity

By the end of today’s sessions: a.Examination of Open Source Software (OSS) and the background principles and development b.Exploration of several currently prominent open source packages

What is Open Source Software? Open source software (OSS) is software distributed under licenses guaranteeing the rights to freely use, modify, and redistribute the code. The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a non- profit corporation that acts as a standards body for open source. –To use the Open Source Initiative Approved License trademark the software must meet 10 criteria, including Free Redistribution and the Source Code.

Two Models of Software Development & Distribution Corporate/Proprietary – Software as commercial product for sale –Cost based on development time, profit margin, etc. –Restrictions on access to source code Open Source – Software as contribution – value comes from use and modification –Central concept is freedom –Optional accompanying services may have fees; generally not a required purchase

Clarification on terminology Distinction from “free software” –Interactions with Commercial/Proprietary software –Confusion over terms… Open Source and Free Software …but people used to ask me, 'What do you mean it's free software if it costs $150?'... The reason they asked this was that they were confused by the multiple meanings of the English word free. One meaning refers to price, and another meaning refers to freedom. When I speak of free software, I'm referring to freedom, not price. So think of free speech, not free beer.“ Richard Stallman, GNU developer

Reading Recommendations Bretthauer, David. "Open Source Software: A History" ITAL: Information Technology and Libraries 21(1). (March 2002) –ITAL Abstract: In the thirty years from 1970 to 2000, open source software (OSS) began as an assumption without a name or a clear alternative. It has evolved into a sophisticated movement that has produced some of the most stable and widely used software packages ever produced. This paper traces the evolution of three operating systems: GNU, Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD), and Linux, as well as the communities that have evolved with these systems and some of the commonly used software packages developed using the open source model. It also discusses some of the major figures in OSS, and defines both free and open source software.

Philosophy & Process “OSS provides the means for the profession to take greater control over the ways computers are used in libraries. OSS is free, but it is free in the same way freedom exists in a democracy. With freedom comes choice. With freedom comes the ability to manifest change. At the same time, freedom comes at a price, and that price is responsibility. OSS puts its users in direct control of computer operations, and this control costs in terms of accountability. When the software breaks down, you will be responsible for fixing it. Fortunately, there is a large network at your disposal, the Internet, not to mention the creator of the software who has the same problems you do and has most likely previously addressed the same problem. Open source provides the means to say, "We are not limited by our licensed software because we have the ability to modify the software to meet our own ends." Instead of blaming vendors for supporting bad software, instead of confusing the issues with contractual agreements and spending tens of thousands of dollars a year for services poorly rendered, OSS offers an alternative. Be realistic. OSS is free, but not without costs.” Eric Lease Morgan, University of Notre Dame

Philosophy & Process “OSS provides the means for the profession to take greater control over the ways computers are used in libraries. OSS is free, but it is free in the same way freedom exists in a democracy. With freedom comes choice. With freedom comes the ability to manifest change. At the same time, freedom comes at a price, and that price is responsibility. OSS puts its users in direct control of computer operations, and this control costs in terms of accountability. When the software breaks down, you will be responsible for fixing it. Fortunately, there is a large network at your disposal, the Internet, not to mention the creator of the software who has the same problems you do and has most likely previously addressed the same problem. Open source provides the means to say, "We are not limited by our licensed software because we have the ability to modify the software to meet our own ends." Instead of blaming vendors for supporting bad software, instead of confusing the issues with contractual agreements and spending tens of thousands of dollars a year for services poorly rendered, OSS offers an alternative. Be realistic. OSS is free, but not without costs.” Eric Lease Morgan, University of Notre Dame

Philosophy & Process “OSS provides the means for the profession to take greater control over the ways computers are used in libraries. OSS is free, but it is free in the same way freedom exists in a democracy. With freedom comes choice. With freedom comes the ability to manifest change. At the same time, freedom comes at a price, and that price is responsibility. OSS puts its users in direct control of computer operations, and this control costs in terms of accountability. When the software breaks down, you will be responsible for fixing it. Fortunately, there is a large network at your disposal, the Internet, not to mention the creator of the software who has the same problems you do and has most likely previously addressed the same problem. Open source provides the means to say, ‘We are not limited by our licensed software because we have the ability to modify the software to meet our own ends.’ Instead of blaming vendors for supporting bad software, instead of confusing the issues with contractual agreements and spending tens of thousands of dollars a year for services poorly rendered, OSS offers an alternative. Be realistic. OSS is free, but not without costs.” Eric Lease Morgan, University of Notre Dame

Practical Similarities Commonalities with Commercial/ Proprietary software –Central developer –Clearinghouse for information and new releases that incorporate patches, fixes, feature development –User groups and mailing lists

Summary of Advantages Modification is possible Modification to meet needs is encouraged Join active community of users –Troubleshooting –Development –Training Philosophical approach Different set of costs

Open Source: ILS Koha-- Koha.orgKoha.org A New Zealand consortium commissioned a company to develop a Web-based system for use in its libraries Open source in order for other libraries to use it and make further improvements. Evergreen (previously discussed) eXtensible -- Extensiblecatalog.infoExtensiblecatalog.info In development phases by the University of Rochester with a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Focused on academic libraries

Open Source: Institutional Repositories DSpacehttp:// University of Illinois IDEALShttp:// EPrints California Institute of Technology Caltech Authors Fedora University of Virginia Digital CollectionsDigital Collections

Open Access & SPARC Open Access intersects with Open Source –Scholarly Communication trends Breakdown of traditional publishing models –No longer meeting everyone’s needs –Changed environment –Open Access Continuity of philosophy – knowledge as contribution rather than commodity SPARC –Discussed previously by Sarah Shreeves, IDEAL, University of Illinois

Open Source: IT & Office Productivity Operating systemLinuxLinux Web serverApacheApache Image manipulationGIMPGIMP Office software suiteOpen OfficeOpen Office –Spreadsheet, word processor, etc. Audio editingAudacityAudacity Web designNVU (N-View)NVU Web content managementDRUPALDRUPAL For more software listings: SourceForge.net Wikipedia listing of open source packages Windows-based open source applications

Activity: Exploring OSS

Review of Today’s Agenda Defining Open Source Software Two Models of Software Development & Distribution Philosophy & Process Open Source: ILS Open Source: Institutional Repositories Open Access & SPARC Open Source: Office Productivity

Going forward Questions?? One-minute Exercise –Complete feedback form, please 1.Most helpful item in today’s sessions 2.A way to improve today’s sessions

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