Chapter 14 The Open Source Community

Agenda Types of Free Software Open Source Project Open Hardware Project Impacts

Types of Free Software Freeware –Author retains the copy right –Allow user to use it for free –Does not allow commercial usage –Source code is not available or the code can not be used in other program –Giftware, cardware, and mailware

Types of Free Software Shareware –Author release the program for free –Request the user for a fee if user likes it Free software –Without cost and freedom –May also be sold

Agenda Types of Free Software Open Source Project Open Hardware Project Impacts

Open Source Project Definition –Free source code on the Internet –Allow modifications –Guaranteed reliability and quality –Bazaar not Cathedral by Eric Raymond Benefits –Less cost (free) –Innovation –Bugs fixing –Long product life

Open Source Project Problems –Service support –Drivers for new hardware

Open Source Project Requirements –Software to solve a general problem (OS) –Small modular design –A leader with technical and people skills for coordination –Reasonable time line –Mailing list, newsgroup, web site and discussion forums

Open Source Project Examples –Apache web server –Linux operating system –Mozilla browser (Netscape

Agenda Types of Free Software Open Source Project Open Hardware Project Impacts

Open Hardware Project Test in the university and research institutes Examples –The Freedom CPU –Open Design Circuits –The Open Hardware Certification Program –The Open Hardware Specification Project

Agenda Types of Free Software Open Source Project Open Hardware Project Impacts

From industrial age to information age Emphasizing the services (customizing and consulting) not product sales Standardizing the hardware Lower the cost for duplication New open source community for project bid

Points to Remember Types of Free Software Open Source Project Open Hardware Project Impacts