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”Open Source is Not The Infrastructure of Modern Society…
Cloud services are the actual infrastructure. Open source is the blueprints and building materials of our digital infrastructure. Infrastructure should be built from open source, but it is important to understand the difference between software and a service, because there is a person in the middle, the one operating the service. There will be no digital sovereignty just with open source, only with transparent services. The combination creates the necessary infrastructure and resulting sovereignty.
Continue reading “Open Source is Not The Infrastructure of Modern Society…”How to Fund Your Startup (Using Public Grants, in Germany, 2022 Edition)
In this short video, I provide an explanation of how anyone with a team and an idea can get public funding to kick off their venture. I appear to be speaking to my students, but the funding is really available to anyone (with a German address and work permit). If this is you, feel free to get in touch! Happy 2022!
Continue reading “How to Fund Your Startup (Using Public Grants, in Germany, 2022 Edition)”A Simple Fun Example of How a Computer Reads Intent Wrong
I read an article about India and wanted to know how much money “2 lakh” is in Euro. The search engine responded as follows:
