open_development_links.md

Open Development Links

• Open Development: The Necessary Next Step for Open Source (Updated 2023-11-30). [web article]. Blockchain Commons. Retrieved 2024-01-19 from Blockchain Commons Website: https://www.blockchaincommons.com/articles/Open-Development/.

  TAGS: #OpenDevelopment #OpenSource #DigitalInfrastructure #SoftwareDevelopment #Collaboration #Diversity #Transparency #Sustainability #OpenEcosystem

  SHORT ABSTRACT: "This article delves into the concept of 'open development' as a necessary evolution from traditional open-source models. It discusses the limitations of open-source software and proposes a comprehensive framework for open development. This framework includes principles such as collaboration, transparency, and sustainability, and offers a multi-level approach to integrating these practices into software development, aiming to create a more resilient and inclusive digital infrastructure."

  KEY QUOTES:

  • "Open development is a larger infrastructure that encompasses open-source licenses but does so while laying out a complete methodology for these projects, from their initial conception through their long-term support."
  • "The biggest limitation of the traditional open-source model is that it’s just a licensing regime: no less, no more."
  • "To be truly open, and to support development from inception through long-term support, we believe an open-development community must increasingly abide by a set of principles as it rises up through the spectrum of openness."
  • "Open development isn’t a binary choice, but rather a spectrum."
  • "Open Development’s principles and best practices form a starting point for discussing open development."

  Key Points:

  1. Open Development as an Evolution: The concept extends beyond open-source licensing, encompassing a complete methodology for project lifecycle.
  2. Limitations of Open Source: Traditional open-source models are limited to licensing, lacking a comprehensive development framework.
  3. Principles of Open Development: Includes collaboration, transparency, diversity, strategy, sustainability, and openness.
  4. Spectrum of Openness: Open development is not binary but exists on a spectrum, emphasizing different levels of openness.
  5. Framework for Implementation: The article proposes a multi-level framework to integrate open development practices.
  6. Inclusivity and Accessibility: Emphasizes the importance of making digital infrastructure accessible and inclusive.
  7. Strategy and Long-Term Support: Stresses the need for strategic planning and long-term support in open development.
  8. Resilience of Digital Infrastructure: Aims to create a more resilient digital infrastructure through open development practices.
  9. Best Practices and Community Engagement: Discusses best practices for community engagement and collaboration.
  10. Future of Software Development: Views open development as crucial for the future evolution of software development.

• The Value of Open Source Software (2024). [academic paper]. Hoffmann, Manuel; Nagle, Frank; Zhou, Yanuo. Harvard Business School. [pdf]: https://www.hbs.edu/ris/Publication%20Files/24-038_51f8444f-502c-4139-8bf2-56eb4b65c58a.pdf.

  TAGS: #OpenSourceSoftware #EconomicValue #GlobalPublicGood #SoftwareEconomy #DemandSideValue #SupplySideValue #SoftwareDevelopment #ProgrammingLanguages #GlobalFirms #Innovation

  SHORT ABSTRACT: "This paper assesses the economic value of open source software (OSS), a non-pecuniary global public good essential in modern technology. It addresses the challenge of quantifying OSS value due to its non-pecuniary nature and decentralized usage. Utilizing global data from multiple sources, the study estimates both the supply-side cost to recreate OSS and the larger demand-side value for firms using OSS. Findings reveal the significant economic impact of OSS, underscoring its vital role in the digital economy and broader societal context."

  KEY QUOTES:

  • "More recently, venture capitalist Joseph Jacks argued that 'open source is eating software faster than software is eating the world.'"
  • "Using newly collected data from multiple sources, the goal of this paper is to provide estimates for both p and q and to use those to shine light on the question: What is the value of open source software?"
  • "We find a value ranging from $1.22 billion to $6.22 billion if we were to decide as a society to recreate all widely used OSS on the supply side."
  • "Importantly, recent studies have attempted to address these measurement issues but fall short of capturing both the breadth and depth of OSS usage – a gap we seek to fill with this paper."

  KEY POINTS:

  1. Importance of OSS: OSS plays a crucial role in the global economy, being foundational to most technology used today. However, its value has been difficult to measure due to its non-pecuniary nature.
  2. Data Sources: The study uses data from the “Census II of Free and Open Source Software – Application Libraries” and BuiltWith dataset, capturing OSS usage by millions of firms globally.
  3. Supply-Side Value Estimation: The cost to recreate the most widely used OSS was estimated using the Constructive Cost Model II (COCOMO II). The supply-side value of widely-used OSS is estimated at $4.15 billion.
  4. Demand-Side Value Estimation: This was based on a replacement value for each firm that uses the software. The demand-side value is much larger, estimated at $8.8 trillion, indicating firms would spend 3.5 times more on software if OSS did not exist.
  5. Programming Languages: The study found that the top six programming languages comprise 84% of the demand-side value of OSS.
  6. Developer Contributions: A significant finding was that 96% of the demand-side value is created by only 5% of OSS developers.
  7. Economic Significance: The study highlights the economic and social significance of OSS, underscoring its role as a global public good.
  8. Impact on Different Industries: The demand-side value of OSS varies across industries, with “Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services” deriving the most benefit.
  9. Concentration of Value Creation: A small number of developers contribute disproportionately to the value of OSS, with implications for the health and future of the OSS ecosystem.
  10. Policy Implications: The findings underscore the need for more societal support for OSS and its contributors, given its critical role in the economy.