opensourcesoftware_mostafa

Artical Summary: The aim of the article, //Open Source Software Development// written by Georg von Krogh, provides insight on the underlying incentives for producing free open-source software (OSS), when in fact the very nature of the phenomenon often does not offer economic benefits. He also illustrates the innovative processes that occur during the development phase of OSS. OSS encompass any software that offer the source code, giving rights to any individual desiring to obtain, modify and use usually at no charge. This implies that the software developers evolved in the creation of the software do not reap economic benefits directly from their work. Krogh postulates that the key incentives are derived from personal benefits as: the profound learning process, advancement of reputation, and mere enjoyment. These professional collaborate through websites like Sourceforge.net that ultimately grant the necessary infrastructure allowing developers to manage OSS. Most of the credit for the open source initiative is attributed to an MIT programmer, Richard Stallman, who founded Free Software Foundation with the intention of defending the “free” nature of software. The transformation of the “free” status to “open source” helped remove negative connotations perceived by businessman from the former term, and helped the software grow in popularity. Many small to medium enterprises (SME) incorporate OSS with their firm. Also, there is a growing trend of large business using open source such as IBM, NASA, RedHat, SuSE and the German government. OSS can be initiated by anyone that possesses sufficient programming skills with an innovative idea, who contact other programmers through network community sites like Freshmeat.net or Geocrawler.com. Others could then repair bugs, provide, ideas, comments and so on to help improve the performance of the software and achieve results like the Linux operating system. Source: Krogh, George, "Open Source Software Developement", MIT Sloan Management Review. vol 44 (2003):14-18

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Please read the questions below and provide your input:

How far do guys see the open source idea going?

How will software companies deal with the growing trend of open source?

Is the traditional method likely to extensively decline in the future?