Open Source

From the Internet’s infrastructure to operating systems like GNU/Linux, the open source movement comprises some of the greatest accomplishments in computing over the past quarter century. Its story embraces technological advances, unprecedented global collaboration, and remarkable tools for facilitating distributed development. The evolution of the Internet enabled an enormous expansion of open development, allowing developers to exchange information and ideas without regard to constraints of space, time, or national boundary. The movement has had widespread impact on education and government, as well as historic cultural and commercial repercussions. Part I discusses key open source applications, platforms, and technologies used in open development. Part II explores social issues ranging from demographics and psychology to legal and economic matters. Part III discusses the Free Software Foundation, open source in the public sector (government and education), and future prospects.

Author Biography

Fadi P. Deek received his Ph.D. in Computer and Information Science from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). He is Dean of the College of Science and Liberal Arts and Professor of Information Systems, Information Technology, and Mathematical Sciences at NJIT, where he began his academic career as a Teaching Assistant in 1985. He is also a member of the Graduate Faculty – Rutgers University Ph.D. Program in Management. James A. M. McHugh received his Ph.D. degree in Applied Mathematics from the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University. During the course of his career, he has been a member of technical staff at Bell Telephone Laboratories (Wave Propagation Laboratory), Director of the Ph.D. program in computer science at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Acting Chair of Computer and Information Science Department at NJIT, and Director of the Program in Information Technology. He is currently a tenured Full Professor in the Computer Science Department at NJIT.