When Worlds Collide: Emerging Patterns of Intersection and Segmentation when Computerization Movements Interact Walt Scacchi Institute for Software Research University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA USA

2 Overview Updating computerization movements Three emerging CMs –Open source software, computer games, and grid computing CM intersections –OSS-CG, OSS-GC, CG-GC, OSS-CG-GC Observations and discussion

3 Computerization movements Social movement theory: Blumer, Zald, Gerlach CM studies: Kling and Iacono, Elliott and Scacchi Computing world dynamics: Kling and Gerson, Scacchi Socio-technical interaction networks: Kling, McKim, Lamb, Sawyer, Scacchi, et al.

4 Three emerging CMs Open source software Computer games Grid computing -- Each CM driven by work practices and innovation processes that intersect/segment one another -- These dynamics animate and provide the emergent force to computerization movements

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6 Game World Stats

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8 Intersecting CMs OSS and Computer Games If developing software is rewarding, and playing games is fun, then developing game software should be fun and rewarding. Game modding is a primary venue for OSS game development [Scacchi 2004a] Game mods sell games, and help their developers get jobs in the game industry. Likely to persist as a shared segment of both the OSS and Computer Game worlds

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10 Intersecting CMs OSS and Grid Computing Globus, the key middleware component for GC, is OSS GC depends on: –Open grid service integration (OGSI) –Open grid service architecture (OGSA) –Globus standardization and open source –To enable configuration and integration of virtual organizations from their open application service interfaces Likely to be assimilated within Grid Computing world

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12 Intersecting CMs Computer Games and Grid Computing Game grids for massively multiplayer online games (MMOG) New Sony (IBM) PlayStation 3 (2006) to utilize grid services Enables new class of game play experiences and virtual (game-based) economies (i.e., games + EBay) for game developers to create Represents new venue for government R&D (and Education) investments Likely to be assimilated into Computer Game world

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14 Intersecting CMs OSS, Computer Games, Grid Computing Smallest, least-populated CM Linking three independent CMs/subworlds Very few projects, modest social network, unable to instigate network externalities Denotes an interesting “boundary case” Continuing emergence as CM is unclear.

15 Large-scale computer gaming

16 Observations Prior studies treated CMs as independent CMs are segmented, polycentric, networked, heterogeneous, and intersecting Some intersecting CMs are assimilated into the larger CM Other intersecting CMs have the potential to emerge as their own sub-world Other intersections may be so fragile and marginal as to merit study on their own.