Week 2

Monday January 18

Topics:

  • Source Code
  • User Rights
  • Contributing to FOSS

Readings (5):

Producing Open Source Software (PDF)

  • History (pp. 3 – 9)
    • The Rise of Proprietary Software and Free Software
    • “Free” vs. “Open Source”
  • The Situation Today. (p. 9)

NOTE: You can choose to read the book online in HTML format, download the epub version to an ereader, or get the PDF version.

Let’s start with the history of the Free and Open-Source movements. Karl Fogel does a great job of summarizing this history in his book Producing Open Source Software. Note that Mr. Fogel’s text is focused on managing a successful open source project, or conversely – avoiding the failure of an open source project.

As you read, there were (and are) many sources of resistance to the rise of proprietary software, and as many motivations for resistance. Some consider F/OSS an ethical or moral choice, others a superior software development methodology, and yet others regard it as a good business strategy. As Fogel states, “Free software is a culture by choice.” Understanding the motivations for using or contributing to F/OSS software is a key to integrating it successfully as an educator. Fortunately, the benefits of adopting F/OSS don’t change based on your motivation for involvement.

Free Software, Free Society:

  • Chapter 1 – (pp. 3-9) the Free Software definition

NOTE: You have the option to purchase the book or download a PDF copy.

As Fogel discussed, Richard Stallman, or RMS as he is frequently referred to, is a pivotal character in F/OSS culture and community. In chapter 1 of Free Software, Free Society, Stallman defines and discusses the Free Software definition. Note Stallman’s stance on the ethics of non-free software. He references “copyleft” in this chapter, which we will revisit in another lesson. Copyleft refers to the requirement that user freedoms be preserved in modified versions of software.

Annotated Open Source definition (webpage)

In Fogel’s History chapter, we learned about the motivations behind the Open Source Initiative (OSI). Now let’s review the Open Source definition maintained by the OSI. How does this definition differ from the FSF’s Free Software definition? How is it that 10 criteria for Open Source and 4 criteria for Free Software generate nearly identical sets of conforming software?

Free Software Heroes (webpage)

Free Software Heroes is a great recap of some other major contributors to the Free Software movement. Note that your name could be on a similar list in the future… after all, Linus Torvalds was a graduate student when he began the now famous Linux kernel.

Why Hackers Do What They Do (PDF)

This 2003 study examines the types of motivations expressed by developers of F/OSS SourceForge.net projects. The authors first review three types of motivation: enjoyment-based intrinsic, community-based intrinsic, and extrinsic. Look for substantiation of Dan Pink’s discussion of what motivates us.

Consider this: How does compensation rank in the motivations expressed by the developers?

Assignments:

  • Blog setup
    • You should now have your very own blog set up, either using Wordpress or Jekyll and Github Pages. Please post a link to your blog post in the Forums tool of the LTEC 647c Laulima course site.
  • Blog post #1
    • Write 3-4 paragraphs describing your initial reactions to this class. What has interested you most so far? Has anything surprised you? What are you looking forward to?

Additional Resources

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