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Free and Open Source Software Development Education Materials (for Free!)
I've been asked a few times over the past month for a set of references on free and open source software by people hoping to teach or learn about the concepts and mechanics of community development. They are not interested in a business model primer, although many of the references below would be invaluable to understanding the culture for a business person interested in open source software.
The first person was asking from a teaching curriculum perspective, so I started thinking in terms of what's available that would meet a student's price point. So here's my list.
On Culture:
- The Cathedral and the Bazaar by Eric Raymond. This is of course the classic essay. The O'Reilly book is an excellent collection of a number of ESR's essays. Available on-line for free at: http://catb.org/~esr/writings/cathedral-bazaar/
- Open Sources by DiBona et al. This is the original O'Reilly collection of essays from the people that helped start it all. The collection is available for free at: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/opensources/book/toc.html
- Open Sources 2.0 by DiBona et al. This is the recent O'Reilly collection of essays describing the evolution of the movement. (I've an essay in this collection.) Available on-line here: http://www.archive.org/details/opensources2.000diborich
On Development:
- Producing Open Source Software by Karl Fogel. This is an excellent book on how to think about developing a community from the tools to the politics and management. The book is also available here on-line at the book's website: http://producingoss.com/
On Legal and Licensing:
- Understanding Free & Open Source Licensing by St. Laurent. This is the O'Reilly book covering the licensing space. Very approachable for developers. Available for free on-line at: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/osfreesoft/book/
- Open Source Licensing by Larry Rosen. This is another excellent and approachable book. Unfortunately it is not available on-line.
Most of the blogs I read are more "the business of open source" sorts of things, and so I haven't included them here. If anyone has other suggestions for pointers, please send them along.
Another interesting collection is "How Open is the Future?" which is available under a creative commons license at http://crosstalks.vub.ac.be./publications/index.html.
It includes, among other interesting pieces, an interview with Richard Stallman and an essay by Tim O'Reilly which I think are good reading for the uninitiated.
Posted by: John Eckman | 08 August 2006 at 09:16
I think that free culture by Professor Lessig is also a must read.
http://www.free-culture.cc/freecontent/
Posted by: JSGasse | 10 August 2006 at 07:47
Actually, "Open Source Licensing" is available online at http://www.rosenlaw.com/oslbook.htm
Posted by: Swashbuckler | 08 September 2006 at 09:59