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Open Source: the Future is Here
Open-source software is an idea whose time has finally
come. For twenty years it has been building momentum in the
technical cultures that built the Internet and the World Wide Web.
Now it's breaking out into the commercial world, and that's changing
all the rules. Are you ready?
This site offers several complementary views of the
open-source phenomenon. You can read a brief introduction, a techie/hacker's case, a businessperson's case, and a customer's case. Still not convinced? Then
read some third-party case studies.
Those of you who regard Microsoft products as the acme of computing
can even read the Halloween Documents, two
annotated Microsoft internal white papers on open source.
The phrase `open source' has been registered as a
certification mark. You can examine the Open Source Definition that sets the
conditions for use of this mark. You can read about
software that qualifies and our branding program.
We've created an Open Source Wire Service for the
press. To subscribe, send email to wire-service@opensource.org
with the e-mail address you want subscribed, and a sentence explaining
who you write for. This address will only be used for press
releases.
If you aren't writing for the press, don't worry! You'll
be able to see our announcements on Usenet newsgroups and elsewhere,
and we'll have an announcement list server up for you soon!
You can read a brief history of the
open-source concept, and browse links to
other open-source-related resources. We also maintain a page
answering Frequently Asked Questions.
You can see what's new on this site.
We're looking for an open-source logo. You can submit yours on the
contest page.
This site is still evolving as we think through the
implications of open source in the commercial world. We don't claim
to have all the answers yet, so mail
us with your thoughts and criticisms. Also, please send us
URLs of articles and papers on commercial trials of the
open-source model, Linux, and related topics.
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