Assigned Reading

Open Source Software.

-Open source is a program thatis open to development by anyone with a computer on the condition that that person posts the changes back on the internet under the same conditions as the original code.

for example.
Linux: is an open source operating system developed originally by Linus Tovlard.
Open Office: is a software package that is similar to microsoft word, but is open for development from anyone.

users can change and adapt anything and everything in these two programs so that they run smoother or do an aplication that is needed.

Definition: Any computer software that is distributed underlicence which allows users to alter the source code.
the source code is the human readable version of a computer program, it is then translated into binary for the computer to read.

Geoff Mulgan, Tom Steinberg and Omar Salem argue that the term open source is being incorrectly used in todays society and thaat new terms need to be adapted along the same rules as open source software.

eg.
open knowledge: such as wikipedia.
open team working: groups of people working together toward a common goal.
open conversation: large online debates that can accodomidate more people.
open media. music, audio, images and video.

bioscience is also becomming more open with its research. The Tropical Disease Institute (TDI) is a full open source research centre. all of its research is published online for people to critique and improve on.

Benifits of open source.

- Work is submitted and then critiqued by peers. It is adapted anchanged/modified.
- The reviewing is continued, its not just a one off thing.
- There is a wide range of both professionals and amatures reviewing the work.
- It allows others to learn and build skills in programming.
- It can improve your C.V. and create job opportunities with other companies.

Drawbacks of open source.

-Minorities often take over the aplications and turn them into somthing they wern't intended to be, so many projects still have some sort of central controll.
-There is little or no funding for development in opensource as it is giveen away when it is published.


7 Key Principals of open source...

-Transperency: the source code must be freehly avaliable. both the source and the binary.
-Non-appropriation: the source cannot be appropriated to a single person or select group.
-Return of derivatives: all alterations must be made avaliable to the public on the same basis as the original code.
-non-discrimination: access to the code is on an equal basis for everyone.
-open input: everyone should be able to alter the source code as they wish.
-credit: Those that have contributed must be acknowledged.
-non-revocability: Licences cannnot be revoked after publication. (although individuals can have there licence revoked if they break licence terms.)