understanding free and open source software
TRANSCRIPT
Understanding Free andOpen Source Software
By Shane Martin Coughlan
About Me
Owner of Opendawn Consulting
Regional Director Asia of Open Invention Network
Founder of FSFE's Legal Department and the European Legal Network
Realizing Potential
What is Free and Open Source Software?
How can people be part of its value?
How can they maximize their return?
Value World-Wide
50 Billion USD market by 2011
Figures from Linux Foundation
Why?
Free and Open Source Software is flexible
Everyone can work off shared platforms
Source Code != Freedom
What can we do with the code?
Proprietary Code
Use
Free and Open Source Software
Use, study, share and improve
Potential Powered By Licenses
The licenses grant freedom and flexibility
Four Types Of License
Permissive
Weak Copyleft
Strong Copyleft
Network Copyleft
Turn Potential Into Value
Each license offers potential for collaboration
Collaboration can drive growth
Have An Open Perspective
You get third-party code
You contribute code
Everyone gets value
Be Realistic
Working with third parties means sharing
You share code, you share risk
You don't get value for nothing
Common Problems
People don't read the licenses
People don't follow the license terms
Simple Solutions
Read the licenses
Follow the terms
Build Relationships
Be honest about intentions
Sidestep politics, stick to facts
Use the norms fostered by major projects
Work Together
Remember we are sharing platforms
Describe requirements
Build partnerships (formal or informal)
Deal With The Community
Follow the licenses and contracts
Contribute code back to projects
Support the development of new code
The “Western” Experience
The primary benefit is collaboration
Barriers to collaboration reduce benefits
We need to learn to talk more
Expectations
People will follow the licenses
People will collaborate
People will recognize value
Managing Supply Chains
Allocate risk between parties
Remember that distribution is key
Record and audit code contents
Using Code
Know what is OK to use
Know what is not OK
Have a method to deal with unknowns
Resolving Problems
Accept reports of issues
Investigate issues
Provide feedback to reporters
Resolve issues
Think Differently
Competitors are fellow stakeholders
Customers can become suppliers
People can work openly with each other
Three Steps To Success
Keep it simple
Share-alike
Play fair
Summary
We all gain by sharing
There are some rules to follow
You can overcome challenges by talking
Useful Link
www.opendawn.com/resources
Licensing
These slides are copyright © Shane Coughlan 2009 and 2010.
They are licensed under the Creative CommonsAttribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License