The paradox of open source software: Why develop free software?

Kasper Edwards

ISBN 10: 3844310460 / ISBN 13: 9783844310467

Published by LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing Mär 2011, 2011

About this Item

This item is printed on demand - Print on Demand Titel. Neuware -Open source software is computer software like other software, however, unlike most software sold by private companies, open source software is distributed under a license that allows users to copy, modify and redistribute the source code. In contrast, a company like Microsoft imposes very strict licenses that outlaw copying, modifications and redistribution. Microsoft and other companies use strict licensing to protect their source of income ¿ if people are allowed to copy their software, how can they make money This gives rise to a central question: Why is open source software being developed This book tries to answer this very question by developing an theoretical model of open source software development. The model depends on the particular software license and three licenses are analyzed: GPL, BSD and Microsoft EULA. The model uses economic theory to explain the behaviour of developers and users and thereby their incentives. The analysis reveals that open-source software development can be explained through the development model and the personal incentives for developers. As more developers contribute to a programme, these effects are amplified and powerful incentives arise.VDM Verlag, Dudweiler Landstraße 99, 66123 Saarbrücken 396 pp. Englisch.

Seller Inventory # 9783844310467

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The paradox of open source software: Why develop free software?
• Publisher: LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing Mär 2011
• Publication Date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3844310460
• ISBN 13: 9783844310467
• Binding: Taschenbuch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 220W x 150H x 25D millimeters 220 millimeters width by 150 millimeters height by 25 millimeters depth
• Weight: 608 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Open source software is computer software like other software, however, unlike most software sold by private companies, open source software is distributed under a license that allows users to copy, modify and redistribute the source code. In contrast, a company like Microsoft imposes very strict licenses that outlaw copying, modifications and redistribution. Microsoft and other companies use strict licensing to protect their source of income ? if people are allowed to copy their software, how can they make money? This gives rise to a central question: Why is open source software being developed? This book tries to answer this very question by developing an theoretical model of open source software development. The model depends on the particular software license and three licenses are analyzed: GPL, BSD and Microsoft EULA. The model uses economic theory to explain the behaviour of developers and users and thereby their incentives. The analysis reveals that open-source software development can be explained through the development model and the personal incentives for developers. As more developers contribute to a programme, these effects are amplified and powerful incentives arise.

About the Author

Kasper Edwards is MSc. Eng. and associate professor at the Technical University of Denmark. He holds a PhD in the economics and organization of open source software and did a post doc on the economic and organizational aspects of product configuration systems. He is now focusing on the relationship between social capital and performance.