The Open Source Community

1
Chapter 14

• The Open Source Community

2
Agenda

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

3
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

4
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

5
Agenda

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

6
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

7
Open Source Project

• Problems
• Service support
• Drivers for new hardware

8
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

9
Open Source Project

• Examples
• Apache web server
• Linux operating system
• Mozilla browser (Netscape

10
Agenda

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

11
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

12
Agenda

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

13
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

14
Points to Remember

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