CLSC 555 INFORMATION SYSTEMS WEBLIOGRAPHY: OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
by
Lee Sprague
| History & Overview | Sources of Information About Open Source
| Libraries & Open Source |
- History & Overview
- "Open Source Software: A History", by David Bretthauer
This article, published in the ALA's Informaton Technology and Libraries online magazine, is a great introduction to the history of Open Source Software. The
author makes a clear distinction about what open source software is and what it isn't and gives a good overview of open source's development. There is a summary of
the different people and organizations involved in its growth. The article is clear and factual. The only drawback to the article is that it does not give any
guidance on the future development of open source.
- "Open Standards & Open Source Software - What You Need to Know", by Oxford University Computing Services
This site offers slide like descriptions of the Open Source Software movement. Included is a copy of the definition of open source software derived from the Open
Source Initiative. There is also a brief outline of some the programs, the people, and the organizations involved. This site is helpful for those who want a quick
overview and it is easy to understand by the layperson. However, it may be too simplistic for those seeking specific information.
- "Fundamental Issues With Open Source Software Development", by Michelle Levesque
This article focuses on five issues which, in the author's view, impead open source software adoption and growth. Problems include poor user interfaces, lack of
documentation, incomplete design of the software's core elements, not adding features to help users who are not programmers and an unwillingness to learn from what
has been accompished in the proprietary software fields. The article is easy to read and follow for a non-technical audience and the essay is argued well. However,
although the author says these problems can be addressed, she does not include much discussion about how this can happen.
- "The Economics of Open Source Software", by Philip C. Varner
This collection of webpages argues the benefits of open source software and includes a discussion of the definition of, the lisences for, and the advantages of
open source software. The author seems to be aiming his remarks to businesses. The site is easy to navigate and easy to read for the layperson, but it is
marred by broken links and the simplistic arguments employed. The argument would be improved if the disadvantages were discussed in depth as well.
- Open Source Initiative, by Open Source Initiative Corporation
Open Source Initiative is a non-profit corporation that promotes the idea of open source software. Of the two main philosophies about current use of non-proprietary
software, this site is the place to find one. No examination of open source software is complete without reading the information in this website. The most commonly referenced definition of open source
software appears as a webpage here. There are links to open source lisences, FAQs, arguments for open source adoption, and news. The content of the site is
excellent, the site is easy to navigate and the links work. However, there is not much discussion on the difference between "open source" software and "free"
software.
- Free Software Foundation, by Alexander Limi, Alan Runyan, Vidar Andersen
The Free Software Foundation site is run by Richard Stallman, one of the founders of the open source movement. This site, like the Open Source Initiative, is important
to visit to get an understanding of the other philosophy in the use of open source software. The FSF site includes a free software directory, a definition of what is meant
by "free" software, and what is meant by the term "copyleft." There are great links here and this is a very informative site but the user needs to be aware of the
slant of the website. It could be improved by a clearer discussion of "free software" versus "open software."
- Sources of Information About Open Source
- InfoLibrarian, by Infolibrarian Staff
This site has many links to other sites offering open source software, including integrated library systems. There is
a brief description of the software included. Applications are divided into categories including browsers, library systems,
operating systems, programming, and databases. A strong point of the site is the ease of use and many links. However, there are
some broken links, suggesting that it is not maintained regularly.
- Linux Pipeline Magazine, by Information Week
This is a news site for open source software, particularly Linux. Stories come from a variety of online
publications under the umbrella of Information Week. There is a "how-to" section with reviews of open source
products, a product finder, ane even a glossary of terms for non-techies. There is lots of information here and
the site is easy to navigate, however, some of the articles are highly technical and the ads are distracting.
- Sourceforge.net, by Open Source Technology Group
Billing itself as "the world's largest Open Source software development website," this site offers lots of
information and new software releases. Software projects can be searched by topic which can be very helpful. There
are many links to investigate as well. Unfortunately to get to most of the advanced features you must subscribe.
- Libraries & Open Source
- Open Source Systems for Libraries
, by the OSS4Lib Community
This site contains a list of open source software and projects created for libraries with links to their sites or
manufacturers. For interested readers, there is a listserv to which you can subscribe and a suggested reading list. It is helpful to
have so many links in one place, but there are broken links here. Also, the reader really needs to be familiar with
open source software terminology to understand the brief descriptions.
- "Possibilities for Open Source Software
in Libraries", by Eric Lease Morgan
Published in the ALA's Information Technology and Libraries magazine, this article gives a good general overview of open
source software, but highlights as its main focus the factors that are needed in the author's opinion to make open source work.
These factors include national leadership, promotion of open source as a possibility for libraries, packages that need to be
easier to use and install, and open source to be seen as economically viable. The essay is well argued, easy to read, and
gives a good overview of current issues to consider. However, the list of software included is out of date.
- "Open Source Software and Libraries: A Bibiliography."
, by Brenda Chawner
This site contains an extensive list of sites, articles, and applications that show how open source software relates to
libraries. There is a mix of general and more specific information. The list is huge and the links are up to date. But, with
the arrangement of the list in alphabetical order, the user must just scroll through to get to needed information and there are no
subcategories. Additionally, Chawner does not include links to either the OSI or the FSF.
- "Open Software Development"
, by Online Computer Library Center
As a leader in the United States library field, OCLC's opinion about open source software is important to read. This portion
of their website explains OCLC's involvement with open source and includes links to several ongoing projects. There is also
mention of CVS, which is the Concurrent Version System, a way to monitor the most current version of the software. All the links
here are up to date and helpful. Be prepared for some highly technical language, however. Unfortunately the site does not
explain the term CVS or how it works.
- Koha Open Source Library System
, by Katipo Communications
Here is an example of a current open source integrated library system. Koha includes cataloging, OPAC, circulation, patron and
acquisitions modules. There are links to News and Release Notes, FAQs, Installation,
Support, About Koha, and a test area. The test area allows the user to try out Koha by searching actual records
in a New Zealand library. Having the ability to really try out the product is a great addition to this site, which also is
successful graphically. However, the opening page is odd because it is not immediately apparent for what reason the site is
there. For example, what catches the eye is a t-shirt for sale.
- Learning Access Institute
While putting an emphasis on providing open source software to underserved communities worldwide, this company
also offers an open source integrated library system. Modules include OPAC, cataloging and circulation. An Acquisitions
module is being developed. There is much here about the mission and philosophy of the organization and the information
is short on technical details. One is able to do a test drive, as in the Koha site above, but it takes many mouse clicks
to find the information.
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© Lee Sprague 2005