Group 6Group 6Will CulbersonWill Culberson

andandBen HenleyBen Henley

What is open source?What is open source? Open source software is similar in meaning to Open source software is similar in meaning to

freeware or shareware. freeware or shareware. Open source software is usually available for free, Open source software is usually available for free,

and then you can legally give it away. and then you can legally give it away. The term The term sourcesource in open source refers to in open source refers to

computer language source code, such as computer language source code, such as Java Java C++ C++ BASIC BASIC

Not only do you get the running software, but you Not only do you get the running software, but you get all of the source code behind the running get all of the source code behind the running software. software.

The source is The source is openopen to the public, and thus the to the public, and thus the term open source.term open source.

HistoryHistory

First started in January 1998 due to First started in January 1998 due to Netscape’s release of the source Netscape’s release of the source code for Navigator.code for Navigator.

In February 1998 the Open Source In February 1998 the Open Source Initiative was formed.Initiative was formed.

Open Source InitiativeOpen Source Initiative

Founded February 1998 by Eric S. Founded February 1998 by Eric S. Raymond and Bruce PerensRaymond and Bruce Perens

Sought to bring a view of the practical Sought to bring a view of the practical benefits of freely available source code.benefits of freely available source code.

Perens created the Open Source Perens created the Open Source Definition.Definition.

Eric S. Raymond’s essay Eric S. Raymond’s essay The Cathedral The Cathedral and the Bazaarand the Bazaar gives a model for how gives a model for how open source software should be used.open source software should be used.

Open Source DefinitionOpen Source Definition Under the Open Source Definition, licenses must meet ten Under the Open Source Definition, licenses must meet ten

conditions in order to be considered open source licenses. conditions in order to be considered open source licenses. Free RedistributionFree Redistribution: the software can be freely given away or sold. (This : the software can be freely given away or sold. (This

was intended to expand sharing and use of the software on a legal basis.) was intended to expand sharing and use of the software on a legal basis.) Source CodeSource Code: the source code must either be included or freely obtainable. : the source code must either be included or freely obtainable.

(Without source code, making changes or modifications can be impossible.) (Without source code, making changes or modifications can be impossible.) Derived WorksDerived Works: redistribution of modifications must be allowed. (To allow : redistribution of modifications must be allowed. (To allow

legal sharing and to permit new features or repairs.) legal sharing and to permit new features or repairs.) Integrity of The Author's Source CodeIntegrity of The Author's Source Code: licenses may require that : licenses may require that

modifications are redistributed only as patches. modifications are redistributed only as patches. No Discrimination Against Persons or GroupsNo Discrimination Against Persons or Groups: no-one can be locked : no-one can be locked

out. out. No Discrimination Against Fields of EndeavorNo Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor: commercial users : commercial users

cannot be excluded. Distribution of License: The rights attached to the cannot be excluded. Distribution of License: The rights attached to the program must apply to all to whom the program is redistributed without the program must apply to all to whom the program is redistributed without the need for execution of an additional license by those parties. need for execution of an additional license by those parties.

License Must Not Be Specific to a ProductLicense Must Not Be Specific to a Product: the program cannot be : the program cannot be licensed only as part of a larger distribution. licensed only as part of a larger distribution.

License Must Not Restrict Other SoftwareLicense Must Not Restrict Other Software: the license cannot insist that : the license cannot insist that any other software it is distributed with must also be open source. any other software it is distributed with must also be open source.

License Must Be Technology-NeutralLicense Must Be Technology-Neutral: no click-wrap licenses or other : no click-wrap licenses or other medium-specific ways of accepting the license must be required. medium-specific ways of accepting the license must be required.

Bazaar ModelBazaar Model Users should be treated as co-developersUsers should be treated as co-developers   

• The users are treated like co-developers and so they should have access to the source code of The users are treated like co-developers and so they should have access to the source code of the software. If a lot of users view the source code they will eventually find all bugs and the software. If a lot of users view the source code they will eventually find all bugs and suggest how to fix them. suggest how to fix them.

Early ReleasesEarly Releases    • The first version of the software should be released as early as possible so as to increase one's The first version of the software should be released as early as possible so as to increase one's

chances of finding co-developers early. chances of finding co-developers early. Frequent IntegrationFrequent Integration   

• New code should be integrated as often as possible so as to avoid the overhead of fixing a New code should be integrated as often as possible so as to avoid the overhead of fixing a large number of bugs at the end of the project life cycle. Some Open Source projects have large number of bugs at the end of the project life cycle. Some Open Source projects have nightly builds where integration is done automatically on a daily basis. nightly builds where integration is done automatically on a daily basis.

Several VersionsSeveral Versions    • There should be at least two versions of the software. There should be a buggier version with There should be at least two versions of the software. There should be a buggier version with

more features and a more stable version with fewer features. The buggy version (also called more features and a more stable version with fewer features. The buggy version (also called the development version) is for users who want the immediate use of the latest features, and the development version) is for users who want the immediate use of the latest features, and are willing to accept the risk of using code that is not yet thoroughly tested. The users can are willing to accept the risk of using code that is not yet thoroughly tested. The users can then act as co-developers, reporting bugs and providing bug fixes. The stable version offers then act as co-developers, reporting bugs and providing bug fixes. The stable version offers the users fewer bugs and fewer features. the users fewer bugs and fewer features.

High ModularizationHigh Modularization    • The general structure of the software should be modular allowing for parallel development. The general structure of the software should be modular allowing for parallel development.

Dynamic decision making structureDynamic decision making structure    • There is a need for a decision making structure, whether formal or informal, that makes There is a need for a decision making structure, whether formal or informal, that makes

strategic decisions depending on changing user requirements and other factors. strategic decisions depending on changing user requirements and other factors.

ExamplesExamples Linux - operating system based on UnixLinux - operating system based on Unix Eclipse - software framework for "rich-client applications" Eclipse - software framework for "rich-client applications" Apache - HTTP web server Apache - HTTP web server Tomcat web service - web container Tomcat web service - web container Moodle - course management system Moodle - course management system Mozilla Firefox - web browser Mozilla Firefox - web browser Mozilla Thunderbird - e-mail client Mozilla Thunderbird - e-mail client OpenOffice.org - office suite OpenOffice.org - office suite OpenSolaris - Unix Operating System from Sun OpenSolaris - Unix Operating System from Sun

Microsystems Microsystems Mediawiki - wiki server software, the software that runs Mediawiki - wiki server software, the software that runs

Wikipedia Wikipedia Drupal – content management service Drupal – content management service GNU Compiler Collection - Programming language compiler GNU Compiler Collection - Programming language compiler

for C, C++, Java and other languages. for C, C++, Java and other languages.

Non-softwareNon-software BeveragesBeverages

OpenColaOpenCola• Soft drink giants like Coke and Pepsi hold their formulas as closely Soft drink giants like Coke and Pepsi hold their formulas as closely

guarded secrets. Now volunteers have posted the recipe for a similar guarded secrets. Now volunteers have posted the recipe for a similar cola drink on the internet. The taste is said to be comparable to that of cola drink on the internet. The taste is said to be comparable to that of the standard beverages. the standard beverages.

BeerBeer• A beer recipe called Vores Øl. The beer was created by students at the A beer recipe called Vores Øl. The beer was created by students at the

IT-University in Copenhagen together with Superflex, a Copenhagen-IT-University in Copenhagen together with Superflex, a Copenhagen-based artist collective, to illustrate how open source concepts might be based artist collective, to illustrate how open source concepts might be applied outside the digital world. applied outside the digital world.

• In 2002 a beer company in Australia, Brewtopia, started an open source In 2002 a beer company in Australia, Brewtopia, started an open source brewery which invited the general population to be involved in the brewery which invited the general population to be involved in the development and ownership of the brewery, but asking them to vote on development and ownership of the brewery, but asking them to vote on the development of every aspect of their beer, Blowfly, and its road to the development of every aspect of their beer, Blowfly, and its road to market. In return for their feedback and input, they received shares in market. In return for their feedback and input, they received shares in the company, which is now publicly traded on one of the Stock the company, which is now publicly traded on one of the Stock Exchanges in Australia. The company has always adhered to its Open Exchanges in Australia. The company has always adhered to its Open Source roots and is the only beer company in the world that allows the Source roots and is the only beer company in the world that allows the public to design, customize and develop their own beers online. public to design, customize and develop their own beers online.

Non-software cont.Non-software cont. MediaMedia

Open source journalismOpen source journalism Weblogs, or blogs, are another significant platform for open source Weblogs, or blogs, are another significant platform for open source

culture. culture. Messageboards Messageboards OpenDocument is an open document file format for saving and OpenDocument is an open document file format for saving and

exchanging editable office documents such as text documents exchanging editable office documents such as text documents (including memos, reports, and books), spreadsheets, charts, and (including memos, reports, and books), spreadsheets, charts, and presentations. presentations.

Open source movie production is either an open call system in Open source movie production is either an open call system in which a changing crew and cast collaborate in movie production, a which a changing crew and cast collaborate in movie production, a system in which the end result is made available for re-use by system in which the end result is made available for re-use by others.others.

An open source documentary film has a production process An open source documentary film has a production process allowing the open contributions of archival material, footage, and allowing the open contributions of archival material, footage, and other filmic elements, both in unedited and edited form. other filmic elements, both in unedited and edited form.

Open Source Filmmaking refers to a form of filmmaking that takes Open Source Filmmaking refers to a form of filmmaking that takes a method of idea formation from open source software, but in this a method of idea formation from open source software, but in this case the 'source' for a film maker is raw unedited footage rather case the 'source' for a film maker is raw unedited footage rather than programming code. than programming code.

Positive OutlookPositive Outlook

FREE!!FREE!! Allows users to build something that Allows users to build something that

works best for them.works best for them. With so many people working on the With so many people working on the

software, bugs are more likely to be software, bugs are more likely to be worked out.worked out.

Available to everyoneAvailable to everyone

Negative OutlookNegative Outlook

No monetary gainNo monetary gain Companies will be less likely to Companies will be less likely to

produce software.produce software. Software will no longer be able to be Software will no longer be able to be

commercialized. commercialized.

Effects on BusinessesEffects on Businesses

Some businesses are concerned that they Some businesses are concerned that they will will lose businesseslose businesses with open source with open source productsproducts

Businesses will have to Businesses will have to discover new discover new ways of making profitsways of making profits, such as , such as providing services that support the open providing services that support the open source softwaresource software

More businesses will be able to offer More businesses will be able to offer similar products, which will similar products, which will increase increase competitioncompetition in the industry in the industry

Effects on Consumers and the Effects on Consumers and the General PublicGeneral Public

As competition increases, consumers As competition increases, consumers will have will have more bargaining powermore bargaining power

Prices of products will decreasePrices of products will decrease as consumers have more choicesas consumers have more choices

Increased freedom will encourage Increased freedom will encourage innovation and in return provide innovation and in return provide better products for consumersbetter products for consumers