Open Source Daily Journal

With the technological advancements in the Information Technology industry, it is not surprising that big business would try to cash in. With rising costs in operating and maintaining systems, technical support and the cost of software, the idea of free software or open software was conceptualized. Open source does not only cover the source code or the original programming text but it also pertains to the process of distribution of whatever software that is created under the open source concept.

Some distribution concepts of open source software are:
1. Redistributed for free
2. Distributed program must include source code
3. It must allow derived works and modifications
4. Keeping the integrity of the author’s code
5. Groups or Persons must not be discriminated
6. All fields of endeavor must be recognized
7. All rights are included in the distribution
8. No specific license for any product
9. No other software must be restricted
10. Technology neutral license

Source: www.opensource.org

1. Free Redistribution: the software can be freely given away or sold. (Intended to
encourage sharing and use of the software on a legal basis.)
2. Source Code: the source code must either be included or freely obtainable. (Without
source code, making changes or modifications would be impossible.)
3. Derived Works: redistribution of modifications should be allowed. (Allowing legal sharing and
to permit new features or repairs.)
4. Integrity of The Author’s Source Code: licenses will require that modifications are
redistributed only as patches.
5. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups: no one can be locked out.
6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor: commercial users cannot be excluded.
7. Distribution of License: The rights attached to the program must apply to all to whom the
program is redistributed without the need for execution of an additional license by those
parties.
8. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product: the program cannot be licensed only as part of
a larger distribution.
9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software: the license cannot insist that any other
software it is distributed with must also be open source.
10. License Must Be Technology-Neutral: no click-wrap licenses or other medium-specific ways
of accepting the license must be required.
(Source:The Wikipedia)

With the fourth month of the Writers Guild of America’s strike showing no signs of ending, some companies are taking a look at the key issues involved. One of the most publicized issued involves the profit sharing of proceeds from online distribution. With this on the table, some companies which include Founders Media Group, Hollywood Disrupted and Virtual Artist would like to meet with representative of the Guild in order to explore new avenues of experimentation in finding ways to resolve the issue. The group is putting forward the idea of alternative online distribution which just might hit the right note with the striking WGA.

From the very rise of an instant manufacturing to the growth of open-source business models, these trends show that innovation can bloom even in a grim economic climate.
Take a look at the nine trends driving business in 2008 — and a deeper explanation of the ever surprising secrets to Apple’s success. Last spring, the marketer and blogger Hugh MacLeod posted a question on his site: If an open source is such a phenomenon, where are all the open source billionaires? His audience wasn’t bit amused. The open source software relies on a community of a volunteer developer who amend program.

One of the key findings is that the open source software has had a superficial impact on all the enterprise database market in that adoption has been widespread but shallow. While the open source databases have been widely deployed for the Web-tier applications, there has been a minimal adoption in the enterprise application tier, and adoption for the enterprise applications is at this time limited to certain but specific application of workloads.
To which I’d always respond, yes, but you’ve got to start it somewhere, and it’s impressive to be able to start with some of the most and very demanding customers on the planet. It’s a bit like programming platforms in the entire enterprise.

1. Free Redistribution

2. Source Code

3. Derived Works

4. Integrity of the Author’s Source Code

5. No Discrimination against Person or Groups

6. No Discriminations on Fields of Endeavour

7.  The Distribution of License

8.  It Must not be specific to a Product

9.   It Must not restrict other Software

10.  It Must be Technology Neutral

(Source: Opensource.org)

A. Compliance Levels

To support governments and other bodies in acknowledging and selecting
standards that conform to this Requirement, the OSI defines two levels
of compliance:

1. OSR Compatible

This indicates that the owner of the standard has self-certified
that their standard conforms with this Requirement, and all Compliance
Criteria. Anyone may ask the OSI to review an OSR Compatible standard;
if the OSI finds that the standard is incompatible, the owner must either
modify the standard or stop using the OSR Compatible mark.

2. OSR Conformant

This indicates the OSI has reviewed a standard, as submitted by the owner,
and certified that it fully conforms to the OSR. The OSI may charge a fee
to balance the costs of this certification.

3. Versioning

The OSI may, at its sole discretion, update the Criteria from time to
time to ensure they continue to fulfill the intent of the Requirement.
These updates will include an explicit version number, and the most
current version will always be available from

(Source:Opensource.org)

Open Source Software or OSS which refers to software that source codes are distributed with no charge or limitations on modification has spawned a significant amount of interest for the past years. It sells this approach as a business model that emphasizes quicker growth and lower overhead as well as a closer customer relationship and exposure to wider market. The concept of Open Source is based on the philosophy of free software wherein it advocates freely available source code as a fundamental right with an inclination of course to a more commercial approach including a business model and development tactic. Encompassing development methodology, this software can be incrementally enhanced and more easily tested that result to a highly dependable product.

MIT soon collaborated with Stanford University’s Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and Carnegie-Mellon University. They all thrived to develop software that is able to communicate with each other with the use of the ARPAnet. ARPAnet, built by the Defense Department in 1960 is the first transcontinental high speed data network. It was formerly intended as an experiment in digital communication until is rapidly grew to link hundreds of universities, research laboratories and defense contractors. With this, it allowed free exchange of information along with exceptional speed and flexibility. Programmers then began to dynamically contribute to different shared projects. And all these led to casual principles and guidelines for dispersed software development rooting from the Hacker Ethic.

That is a very difficult question to ask for big businesses who normally have complex customized programs that allows them to function as a business. But the economic conditions have been forcing a lot of thought into the technology, considering both the advantages and disadvantages of the many successful open source projects that have already been out on the market. To ask that question would result in varying answers depending on who you ask, for large companies that use large programs and technology would not be so keen on adopting such a public technology. This does not however mean that they are not considering them for even some of the staunchest developers of closed systems have been trying out some of these technologies on a limited basis, proving the benefits, which is mainly cost are enticing enough for them to take notice. Continue Reading »