Open Source
Technology and Policy

Find out why some people spend their own time writing complex software, then distribute the source code for free.

Fadi P. Deek (Author), James A. M. McHugh (Author)

9780521881036, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 5 November 2007

382 pages
23.5 x 15.5 x 2.2 cm, 0.618 kg

'This book should be useful to anyone using open source software technology or defining policies for it.' StickyMinds.com Books Guide

From the Internet's infrastructure to operating systems like GNU/Linux, the open source movement comprises some of the greatest accomplishments in computing over the past quarter century. Its story embraces technological advances, unprecedented global collaboration, and remarkable tools for facilitating distributed development. The evolution of the Internet enabled an enormous expansion of open development, allowing developers to exchange information and ideas without regard to constraints of space, time, or national boundary. The movement has had widespread impact on education and government, as well as historic cultural and commercial repercussions. Part I discusses key open source applications, platforms, and technologies used in open development. Part II explores social issues ranging from demographics and psychology to legal and economic matters. Part III discusses the Free Software Foundation, open source in the public sector (government and education), and future prospects.

1. Introduction
Part I. Open Source - Internet Infrastructure, Platforms, and Technologies: 2. Open source Internet application projects
3. The open source platform
4. Technologies underlying open source development
Part II. Social, Psychological, Legal, and Economic Aspects of Open Source: 5. Demographics, sociology, and psychology of open source development
6. Legal issues in open source
7. The economics of open source
Part III. Free Software: The Movement, the Public Sector, and the Future: 8. The GNU project and the free software foundation
9. Open source in the public sector
10. The future of the open source movement.

Subject Areas: Computer programming / software development [UM], Collaboration & group software [UFS]