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Core Attribute Of Open Source Software

A friend asked me what was the single most important core attribute of open source software. Of course, as the name suggests, it is the open source code - making the source code available to everyone under a valid license. However, I think it is useless if the openness gets limited only to the source code. The openness is about opening the minds and gates to the users, and looking at the users as contributors. I think that really is a defining attribute for open source software. What do you think?

Discussion [Participate or Link]

  1. Shawn Milano said:
    August 2nd, 2008 at 10:43 pm

    This is so true. I’m a BIG fan of opensource.

    Thanks, Shawn M.
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  2. Kevin said:
    August 3rd, 2008 at 11:33 am

    Agreed. Having the code is only so useful when it’s totally beyond me. I’d like to contribute more as a user, but until openSuse has a need for someone to make sarcastic comments, my skills will remain under-utilized.

  3. Greg M said:
    August 5th, 2008 at 3:26 pm

    Those who can’t dive into the code themselves could still hire someone to do it for them. So users are empowered - have choices - even if they’re not involved.

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Abhijit Nadgouda
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