| > What would you say the purpose of open source is? The Open Source Initiative has this to say: "Open source is a development method for software that harnesses the power of distributed peer review and transparency of process. The promise of open source is better quality, higher reliability, more flexibility, lower cost, and an end to predatory vendor lock-in." Recognizing that "Free Software" and "Open Source" are terms for essentially the same thing originating from groups with slightly different goals, the FSF says this about Free Software: " Free software is about having control over the technology we use in our homes, schools and businesses, where computers work for our individual and communal benefit, not for proprietary software companies or governments who might seek to restrict and monitor us." [1] Seeing the past history of a project before the point at which it was opened is somewhat related, but not necessary, to the motivation cited by the OSI, and not, as I see it, even related to the FSF motivation. [0] http://opensource.org/about [1] http://www.fsf.org/about/ |