Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 22 lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Written examination (2 hour) | 100% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Resit failed examination | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the issues surrounding open source software
Exercise judgement to decide which licence is appropriate for a piece of software they wish to open-source
Exercise judgement on whether or not to open source a project
Demonstrate an understanding of the potential financial (and other) implications of open-sourcing
Brief description
Open Source software is normally considered to be freely available, with few restrictions on its use. The programmers are not paid directly for their work, but may make money from consulting or books. Whether or not our students wish to follow such a career, the subject is worthy of study from an academic standpoint alone.
Content
2. A Brief History of the open source development culture
3. Contrasting two main methods of building large pieces of software: "The Cathedral and the Bazaar"
Teams led by a chief architect, as opposed to software development led by users.
Open sourcing initiated by companies.
4. The property and ownership customs of the open-source culture.
Legal issues including licensing, using open source software in other packages, which may come under a different licence.
5. The economics of open source software.
How to make money out of Open Source software.
6. Current issues and future challenges.
Is Open Source a threat to big corporations? Are there implications for national governments?
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | |
| Communication | Written, in exam Oral, in class discussion |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Through work for the module |
| Information Technology | Inherent to subject |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students will be provided with information to decide if this environment is of interest to them in their career. |
| Problem solving | |
| Research skills | Yes ¿ in background reading leading to exam |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work |
Reading List
General Text(c2006.) Open sources 2.0 :the continuing evolution /edited by Chris DiBona, Danese Cooper, Mark Stone. 1st ed. O'Reilly Primo search DiBona, Chris (Jan. 1999) Open Sources:Voices from the Open Source Revolution O'Reilly Media, Incorporated Primo search Fogel, Karl Franz (Jan. 2005) Producing Open Source Software:How to Run a Successful Free Software Project O'Reilly Media, Incorporated Primo search Raymond, Eric S. (2001.) The cathedral and the bazaar :musings on Linux and Open Source by an accidental revolutionary /Eric S. Raymond ; with a foreword by Bob Young. Rev. ed. O'Reilly Primo search St. Laurent, Andrew (Nov. 2004) Understand Open Source and Free Software Licensing O'Reilly Media, Incorporated Primo search Woods, Dan (Oct. 2005) Open Source for the Enterprise:Managing Risks Reaping Rewards O'Reilly Media, Incorporated Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6