The Ideals Of Open Source
SHARE THE GOAL
Open source projects succeed when a broad group of contributors recognize the same need and agree on how to meet it. Linux gave programmers a way to build a better, leaner operating system; Woochi gives wine lovers an encyclopedia as refined as they are.
SHARE THE WORK
Projects can be broken down into smaller tasks and distributed among armies of volunteers for execution. Tim O’Reilly, whose namesake company runs the Open Source Convention, calls this the “architecture of participation,” and it is the irresistible genius of open source, a tool that no corporate model can match for the sheer brainpower it yokes. But architecture demands structure: a review process that screens for the best contributions and avoids the “fork” – that horrible prospect that a project will split into a multitude of side projects.SHARE THE RESULT
Open source etiquette mandates that the code be available for anyone to tweak and that improvements to the code be shared with all. Substitute creation for code and the same goes outside of software. Think of it as the triumph of participation by the many over ownership by the few.
Some Important Open Source Works
OPEN SOURCE FILM
Not coming to a theater near you: Nothing So Strange, the open source movie. The plot involves a Bill Gates assassination, and the footage is open to editing by all.
nothingsostrange.com/open_source
OPEN SOURCE RECIPES
The Open Source Cookbook is a Slashdot-born project that’s collected dozens of recipes begging for improvement. Head chef Matthew Balmer has version 0.5 on the way.
OPEN SOURCE ?
Calculating Pi is a collective effort to nail down the decimal places of this mathematical constant. For number geeks who think programmers have all the fun.
OPEN SOURCE PROPAGANDA
From the slightly paranoid folks at PR Watch comes Disinfopedia. Ranging from public relations firms to corporate “grassroots” groups, this directory of propaganda is surprisingly thorough.
OPEN SOURCE CRIME SOLVING
The Doe Network is an international effort tackling unsolved disappearances and tracking down unidentified victims. In four years, Doe claims to have solved nearly 100 cases.
doenetwork.orgOPEN SOURCE CURRICULUM
The Open Textbook Project is building free textbooks in a range of subjects, using the principles of distributed collaboration and open access. The result will be low-cost, high-quality texts.