Morality and Pragmatism in Free Software and Open Source

2009 ◽  
pp. 2883-2893
Author(s):  
Dave Yeats
Keyword(s):  
Software Development ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Moral Obligation ◽  
Free Software ◽  
Pragmatic Argument ◽  
Informed Decisions ◽  
Free Software Foundation

This chapter analyzes the differences between the philosophy of the Free Software Foundation (FSF) as described by Richard Stallman and the open source movement as described in the writings of Eric Raymond. It argues that free software bases its activity on the argument that sharing code is a moral obligation and open source bases its activity on a pragmatic argument that sharing code produces better software. By examining the differences between these two related software movements, this chapter enables readers to consider the implications of these differences and make more informed decisions about software use and involvement in various software development efforts.

Morality and Pragmatism in Free Software and Open Source

2011 ◽  
pp. 23-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave Yeats
Keyword(s):  
Software Development ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Moral Obligation ◽  
Free Software ◽  
Pragmatic Argument ◽  
Informed Decisions ◽  
Free Software Foundation

This chapter analyzes the differences between the philosophy of the Free Software Foundation (FSF) as described by Richard Stallman and the open source movement as described in the writings of Eric Raymond. It argues that free software bases its activity on the argument that sharing code is a moral obligation and open source bases its activity on a pragmatic argument that sharing code produces better software. By examining the differences between these two related software movements, this chapter enables readers to consider the implications of these differences and make more informed decisions about software use and involvement in various software development efforts.

Open Source Software Development Model

2005 ◽  
pp. 2221-2224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luyin Zhao ◽  
Fadi P. Deek
Keyword(s):  
Software Development ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Free Software ◽  
Development Model ◽  
Software Systems ◽  
Software System ◽  
Software Development Model ◽  
Hacker Culture ◽  
Free Software Foundation

The open source movement can be traced back to the hacker culture in the ’60s and ’70s. In the early 1980s, the tenet of free software for sharing was explicitly raised by Richard Stallman, who was working on developing software systems and invited others to share, contribute, and give back to the community of cooperative hackers. Stallman, together with other volunteers, established the Free Software Foundation to host GNU (Gnu’s Not Unix, a set of UNIX-compatible software system). Eric Raymond, Stallman’s collaborator, is the primary founder of the Open Source Initiative. Both communities are considered the principal drivers of open source movement.

scholarly journals The Divergent Anarcho-utopian Discourses of the Open Source Software Movement

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale A. Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Software Development ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Free Software ◽  
Open Source Software Development ◽  
Programming Practices ◽  
Free Software Foundation ◽  
The Way

Abstract: The discourse informing open source programming is important for many reasons, not the least of which is the way in which its ideological positions are translated into practical actions. It is argued that the initial anarcho-utopian move initiated by Richard Stallman’s GNU Project and Free Software Foundation is currently being transformed into an organizational utopia in the form of the largely Linux-based open source movement. The utopian impulse evident in open source software development is therefore addressed from the perspective that the promises of liberation that inform its anarchy-inspired politics may be undermined by efforts to integrate its communal programming practices into existing market hegemonies. Résumé : Le discours sur la programmation libre est important à plusieurs égards, notamment dans la manière dont ses positions idéologiques se transforment en actions concrètes. Cet article soutient que le mouvement anarcho-utopique lancé par Richard Stallman avec son projet GNU et la Fondation pour le logiciel libre se transforme actuellement en une utopie organisationnelle prenant la forme d’un Mouvement du logiciel libre qui se fonde en grande partie sur le système Linux. Cet article adopte la perspective qu’on risque aujourd’hui de perdre de vue l'impulsion utopique qui était évidente dans le développement initial de logiciels libres. On risque en outre d’oublier les promesses de liberté qui sous

Free Software Development

2005 ◽  
pp. 152-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret S. Elliott ◽  
Walt Scacchi
Keyword(s):  
Software Development ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Free Software ◽  
Work Practices ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Open Source Software Development ◽  
Free Open Source Software ◽  
Mailing Lists ◽  
Free Open Source

This chapter presents an empirical study of a free software development community and how its virtual organizational culture influences its work practices. Results show that beliefs in free software and freedom of choice, and values in cooperative work and community influence work practices and norms. The authors wish to convey the importance of understanding the deeply held beliefs and values of the free software movement by showing how a free software development community uses computer-mediated communication in the form of IRC (instant messaging), mailing lists, and summary digests to mitigate and resolve conflicts, build a community, reinforce beliefs, and facilitate teamwork. Results are intended to assist future contributors and managers of free/open source software development projects in understanding the social world surrounding free/open source software development.

scholarly journals The GNU GaMa Project - Adjustment of Geodetic Networks

10.14311/350 ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Čepek
Keyword(s):  
Software Development ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Input Data ◽  
Free Software ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Geodetic Networks ◽  
The World ◽  
Free Information ◽  
Professional Project

The development of Free Software is a well established and successful phenomenon which could hardly exist without the Internet, where groups of programmers scattered all around the world are developing software. The idea of Free Software is highly attractive to talented creative students and can stimulate and support their profesional activities. The GNU GaMa [4] for adjusting of geodetic networks, with input data described in XML, is given here as a concrete example. Free Software [3] (or Open Source) projects need not be limited to software development but can generally cover any professional project based on free information exchange; a suggested example is the planned collection of model geodetic networks described in XML.

The Evolution of Free Software

2011 ◽  
pp. 363-372
Author(s):  
Mathias Klang
Keyword(s):  
Software Development ◽  
Social Contract ◽  
General Public ◽  
Main Tool ◽  
Free Software ◽  
User Empowerment ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
The Many ◽  
General Public License ◽  
Free Software Foundation

The more we rely upon software to mediate the many facets of our lives the more important the ability to control and adapt that software to our needs becomes. The Free Software Foundation stands at the forefront for this effort to ensure user empowerment. The main tool of the foundation is the General Public License that has been a fundamental document in software development since its conception in 1989. At present the Free Software Foundation is in the process of launching a new version of their license and the process is similar to the development of an existing social contract—the delicate problem is meeting the new challenges that have appeared since the earlier version while maintaining the spirit of the original.

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