Open Source Basics: What are you a bunch of hippies?
Start: Oct 10, 3:30 p.m.
End: Oct 10, 4:30 p.m.
Location: 101 (Auditorium) (map)
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The promise of Open Source seems like free software for everyone, but there is a lot more to it than that. We'll cover a quick history of the Open Source movement, the definitions of "free" and enjoy a laugh at ourselves in the process.

OUTLINE:

I.It's all IBM's fault, not the hippies.
1.Open Source literally means sharing the code that a program is written in.
2.The first instance of Open Source software started in the 1950's with IBM and a little later with ARPANET in the late 1960's.
3.It wasn't until 1988 until Open Source received its name during the Netscape/Navigator browser release.
4.Open Source can be applied to MUCH more than software. Many companies have “Open Sourced” their business practices. There are those who believe that Open Source is how things naturally progress (i.e. Chinese food tastes the same everywhere)

II.When is free not free? There are currently three definitions for the word free:
1.Free as in hot dogs: The Spanish word for this kind of free is “gratis.” Just like when RC Willey gives out free hot dogs every Fourth of July, software given out free doesn't require that you pay for it.
2.Free as in speech: The Spanish word for this kind of free is “libre.” Freedom can be considered a right. Being able to do what you want with something that you own is an example of this. If you buy a car, you can add a cool spoiler to it. If you purchase software, shouldn't you be able to add features to it yourself if you're able? Microsoft and Apple would say no.
3.Free as in kittens: There is no word for this kind of free in any language. It implies something that is given free of charge, but requires a responsibility in the future. When you get a free kitten, you receive a loving and purring friend for no money, but you have to feed, groom and play with it to keep it healthy.
4.I believe that ALL Open Source falls under the category of “Free as in kittens.” We may receive software free of charge, but there is a responsibility attached to that software.

III.What is our responsibility?
1.Coding:
1.For those of us out there who can program, it is our responsibility to help with the programming. If there is a feature that you would like to exist, create it and release it to the world to enjoy. It's like adding that spoiler to your car, except the whole world gets to have one.
2.What do you get out of it? The fame from writing the code and the benefit of having the features that you want.
2.Bug Reporting:
1.MOST people on this planet can't code. For them, the most important thing that you can do is report bugs when they happen. Be an active user and attentive when weird things happen on your computer. Honestly, most Open Source software has LESS bugs because of all of us non-programmers.
2.What do you get out of it? Software that WORKS!
3.Evangelism:
1.Telling other people out there about Open Source programs spreads the word about the movement. MOST people don't know about this stuff. They all think about Photoshop, but few people have heard about GIMP.
2.What do you get out of it? Telling other people about all of these cool free applications that are out there helps them. You look like a hero and an expert.