Re: [ox-en] Open Source Software Production: Fact & Fiction,
- From: Rich Walker <rw shadow.org.uk>
- Date: 27 Feb 2004 01:02:38 +0000
On 24 Feb 2004, auskadi tvcabo.co.mz wrote:
Gilberto Camara, Open Source Software Production: Fact & Fiction,
(2004) Mute 27 at 74
A study conducted by the national Institute for Space Research looking
at OSS production of geoinformation technology. 70 projects.
- only 6% were based on a loose network of collaborators
- 41% were corporation based projects of which 17 were private
companies; 8 govt institutions; 4 universities
This is pretty interesting.
It reminds me that the optimal way to run an innovative engineering
project is apparently to put all the participants in the same space, (with
'phones in small enclosed areas)
Of course, the example is pretty ... well, GIS systems? We're not
talking about something useful like a C compiler here...
"Maintaining and supporting an open source software project requires
considerable resources, beyond the reach of most university groups,
added to which there is a conflict between the generation of new
research ideas and the need for long term maintenance and upgrades."
No surprises there. But a university would almost never be a good stewardship
organisation for a software project - their motivation is
wrong. Occasional "academic with reputation software" - TeX, say...
He concludes that "The Linux paradigm is exceptional. Corporations are
the main developers of successful open source products built around
their own strategic agenda, and peer-networked teams develop only 6%
of all open source GIS products. This result strongly mitigates claims
that open source software development defines a significant new 'mode
of production'.
No, it doesn't, does it? You'd kind of expect that a newer more
efficient mode of production would be taken up by corporations - after
all, for most businesses software is a cost centre not a profit centre.
[snippety-chop]
cheers, Rich.
--
rich walker | technical person | Shadow Robot Company | rw shadow.org.uk
front-of-tshirt space to let 251 Liverpool Road |
London N1 1LX | +UK 20 7700 2487
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