Open Source for Dummies

OSSCamp, IIT Delhi, Sept, ‘08

Kinshuk Sunil (kinshuk@osscube.com)

Community Manager, OSSCube

Tech Comics: "The Open Source Religion"

We Will Answer:

Are you a Dummy?

Do you know what Open Source is?

Why should you care about Open Source?

When you should NOT choose Open Source?

How to avenge yourself from the Speaker

Note

1. This presentation:

# is available at osscamp.in and my blog

# expresses subjective opinions

# is not technology-oriented

2. The Law of Two Feet applies to this Talk

3. The speaker is taking great risks by talking about

something he doesn’t completely understand.

Are you a Dummy?

1. You probaly are, if you thought:

# open source is a geek's domain

# open source is all about computers

2. Yes, if you don't understand:

# open source is a development methodology

# open source is not a philosophy

# open source is, now, a culture

What is Open Source?

Technically:

01. Free Redistribution

02. Source Code

03. Derived Works

04. Integrity of The Author's Source Code

05. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups

06. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor

07. Distribution of License

08. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product

09. License Must Not Restrict Other Software

10. License Must Be Technology-Neutralsource open source definition, OSI

What is Open Source?

In English:

program includes source and is freely distributable;

there is no discrimination of any sorts and no restrictions, given the original author is not taken for a ride;

depends a lot on the license;

not necessarily a free software (free as in free beer)

What is Open Source?

What does it mean:

1. you can share open source programs

2. develop in collaboration

3. get better softwares, lesser bugs, more usability

4. for the people, from the people, by the people

5. you can create new business opportunities

Why Should You Care?

Erm... were you listening?

You can:

1. Share open source programs

2. Develop in collaboration

3. Get better softwares, lesser bugs, more usability

4. Create new business opportunities

When Not To Use Open Source?

source Open Source Debate by Jurgens Pieterse

Concerns with Open Source

“...The cost model in an Open Source environment shifts to focusing on integration costs, the maintenance cost and the extension of applications...”2

“...A major concern is the potential cost of retraining staff when a switch is made to Open Source products...”

Must Read

1. Open Source Definition at Open Source Initiative

2. Open Source Debate by Jurgens Pieterse

Thank you!

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