Abstract: Open-source software (OSS) development offers organizations an alternative to purchasing proprietary software or commissioning custom software. In one form of OSS development, organizations develop the software they need in collaboration with other organizations. If the software is used by the organizations to operate their business, such collaborations can lead to what we call “user-led open-source consortia” or “user-led OSS consortia”. Although this concept is not new, there have been few studies of user-led OSS consortia. The studies that examined user-led OSS consortia did so through the lens of OSS, but not from the inter-company collaboration perspective. User-led OSS consortia are a distinct phenomenon which share elements of inter-company collaboration, outsourcing software development, and vendor-led OSS development and cannot be understood by using only a single lens. To close this gap, we present problems and solutions in inter-company collaboration, outsourcing, and OSS literature, and present the results of a single-case study. We focus on problems in the early phases of a user-led open-source consortium, the openMDM consortium, and the solutions applied to these problems. Furthermore, we present the factors which lead this consortium to sustained growth.
Continue reading “Problems, Solutions, and Success Factors in the openMDM User-Led Open Source Consortium [CAIS Journal]”The Four Opens: Open Source Beyond the Code (Ildikó Vancsa, IEEE Computer Column)
I’m happy to report that the 21th article in the Open Source Expanded column of IEEE Computer has been published.
| Title | The Four Opens: Open Source Beyond the Code |
| Keywords | — |
| Authors | Ildikó Vancsa, Open Infrastructure Foundation |
| Publication | Computer vol. 55, no. 6 (June 2022), pp. 81-84 |
Abstract: This article describes a set of guiding principles that open infrastructure communities, such as OpenStack, use to create and maintain balanced ecosystems around projects and navigate the challenges and intricacies of open collaboration.
As always, the article is freely available (local copy).
Also, check out the full list of articles.
The Benefits of Pre-Requirements Specification Traceability [RE 2022]
Abstract: Requirements traceability is the ability to trace requirements to other software engineering artifacts. Traceability can be classified as either pre- or post-requirements specifications (RS) traceability. Pre-RS traceability is the ability to trace between requirements and their origin. However, the benefits of pre-RS traceability are often not clear. In this article, we systematically lay out the benefits of pre-RS traceability. We present results from both a literature review and a qualitative survey of practitioners involved with documenting and utilizing such trace links. We find that the benefits strongly depend on the practitioners, their tasks, and the project environment. Awareness of these relationships supports a clearer understanding of the benefits of pre-RS traceability and thus motivates successful implementation of the required practices. The results of our research motivates the adoption of pre-RS traceability and present problem areas for future research.
Continue reading “The Benefits of Pre-Requirements Specification Traceability [RE 2022]”Call for Article Proposals for Open Source Expanded Column in IEEE Computer Magazine
Readers of this blog may have noticed that I manage a regular (bi-monthly) column on open source for the IEEE Computer magazine (about 60K print subscribers and many more online readers). Article topics are broadly about open source. I’m calling for proposals for new articles in the series. You can read past Open Source Expanded articles on this blog and on the Computer magazine site (all articles are freely accessible).
Continue reading “Call for Article Proposals for Open Source Expanded Column in IEEE Computer Magazine”Incentivizing German Universities to Capitalize on Their Intellectual Property
In a recent position paper, SPRIN-D, an innovation agency of the German government, proposed that universities license their intellectual property (IP) to university startups in return for virtual shares. This approach is suggested as a practice to work around universities who stall startup licensing deals due to unrealistic assumptions (e.g. lump-sum upfront payment). The problem being solved, however, is only at the end of a long chain of necessary changes, before the specifics of a licensing deal even become relevant.
Continue reading “Incentivizing German Universities to Capitalize on Their Intellectual Property”Software Development Metrics With a Purpose (Gonzalez-Barahona et al., IEEE Computer Column)
I’m happy to report that the 20th article in the Open Source Expanded column of IEEE Computer has been published.
| Title | Software Development Metrics With a Purpose |
| Keywords | — |
| Authors | Jesus M. Gonzalez-Barahona, Daniel Izquierdo-Cortázar, Gregorio Robles |
| Publication | Computer vol. 55, no. 4 (April 2022), pp. 66-73 |
Abstract: A new generation of toolsets that are flexible enough to adapt to the data analytics needs of a given scenario is emerging to analyze free, open source software (FOSS). GrimoireLab is one such toolset that meets many of the needs of foundations, developers, and companies.
As always, the article is freely available (local copy).
Also, check out the full list of articles.
Will Open Source Become the Default Way of Developing Software?
Someone on the internet said that open source will become the default way of developing software. This begs the question: What is open source software development? What about other forms of development? And why would open source be the default way?
Continue reading “Will Open Source Become the Default Way of Developing Software?”Manufacturing Independence in the Age of the Cloud
Intel just announced a US$ 33B investment in creating chip manufacturing plants in Europe, about half of which will go to the (otherwise rather quaint) town of Magdeburg in Germany. In almost any respect this is good news. It creates jobs in Europe and Germany. It will instigate a local ecosystem of suppliers and entrepreneurs. Knowledge will diffuse and spread, creating more innovation, companies, and jobs.
Continue reading “Manufacturing Independence in the Age of the Cloud”Commercial Participation in OpenStack (Zhang et al., IEEE Computer Column)
I’m happy to report that the 19th article in the Open Source Expanded column of IEEE Computer has been published.
| Title | Commercial Participation in OpenStack |
| Keywords | OpenStack, Open Source Software |
| Authors | Yuxia Zhang, Hao He, Minghui Zhou |
| Publication | Computer vol. 55, no. 2 (February 2022), pp. 78-84 |
Abstract: This article provides a overview of commercial participation in OpenStack, a large-scale open source software (OSS) ecosystem. We discuss how to achieve a balance between maximizing business profit and ensuring the long-term sustainability of OSS ecosystems.
As always, the article is freely available (local copy).
Also, check out the full list of articles.
Keynote on User-led Open Source Consortia at ISAFOSS-TIEDE 2022
I just finished my keynote at ISAFOSS-TIEDE 2022 of Sultan Qaboos University in Oman (sadly, remotely), on user-led open source consortia, which is perhaps the most important trend in open source right now. Abstract and slides below.
Continue reading “Keynote on User-led Open Source Consortia at ISAFOSS-TIEDE 2022”