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amy
Joined: Feb 3, 2003
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Open Source, Free Software?
October 27, 2003 - 06:43 AM
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How have information and communication technologies changed the way we think about intellectual property? For example, the popularity of Open Source is primarily based on the fundamental premise that ideas should not be "owned" by one person, but available to all so that the group can make adjustments and improvements. The concept of Open Source is also spreading to all other areas of production (not just software).
An interesting article about Open Source is at: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.11/opensource.html?tw=wn_tophead_6
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Simon Moss
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Cool article
October 28, 2003 - 07:47 AM
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I think that ICTs have both liberated and enslaved our conceptions of Intellectual Property. Liberated in that it is now more possible than ever to share ideas and work with others all around the world in real-time. But enslaved as our space for sharing is squeezed by the corporations who are moving to protect their (hard-earned) positions.
It's a really interesting issue, one that's taken up in a book called Information Feudalism by Peter Drahos.
Theoretically, I love the idea of Open Source as a great way to diffuse knowledge and ideas quickly effectively, without barriers of wealth or elitism. But (of course there's a but), what does the open source movement mean for these industries? They employ hundreds of thousands of people around the world on developing technology and ideas, rightfully enforcing their intellectual property claims. What does open source mean for them?
For it seems to me that the development of open source depends very much on a position of privilege. One needs the secure job/environment in order to spend time contributing for free. Without a job, without the means to own the technology that open source utilises - what then?
Mossy
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Brian Smith
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Re: Open Source, Free Software?
January 6, 2004 - 11:25 AM
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Mossy- think about it from the other angle... The prohibitive costs and maintenance of these intellectual property rights cost jobs and prevent those for going into business for themselves.
Think about open source pharmaceuticles... How fast would we have a cure for many more diseases????
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Terri Willard
Joined: Jul 27, 2001
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Re: Open Source, Free Software?
February 17, 2004 - 04:01 AM
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I just received the following by email:
NOSI, the Nonprofit Open Source Initiative, announces the release of its new guide "Choosing and Using Open Source
Software: A Primer for Nonprofits." It is available for download at http://www.nosi.net
Supported with a grant from the IBM International Foundation, the Primer describes open source software and its use in nonprofit organizations. Written in an accessible, non-technical language, the Primer is aimed at nonprofit managers and technology assistance providers who want to know more about open source software and how to deploy it effectively.
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Seow Yoke May
Joined: Aug 12, 2003
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e-Primers on Free/Open Source Software Series
December 16, 2004 - 04:20 AM
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The UNDP-APDIP International Open Source Network (IOSN) has produced a series of primers on Free/Open Source Software (FOSS). The primers serve as introductory documents to FOSS in general, as well as covering particular topic areas in greater detail. Their purpose is to raise FOSS awareness, particularly among policy-makers, practitioners and educators.
http://eprimers.apdip.net/series/foss/titles/
happy reading!
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Ekpon Theophilus
Joined: Dec 13, 2004
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Re: Open Source, Free Software?
February 11, 2005 - 04:02 AM
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Open source software is definitely going to accelerate the availability of information to the general public since it is free and more economical for everyone,every organisation, to make afford and make use of. It is a good initiative.
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