|
|
Open SourceOpen Source is a term of much confusion for many people. It is often used liberally, and often incorrectly, in reference to a lot of different concepts which has led to a general confusion among many. Strictly speaking 'open source' refers to the process of programming computer applications and making the software code available for anyone to view, use, and revise.
The term “open source” is often used interchangeably, but incorrectly, with “public domain.” Open source is a term that arose from the development of software and refers to access to the underlying program, or “source code,” that causes software to work. And because open source software gets a lot of attention in the popular and trade media, the use of the term has often been used incorrectly in reference to other work. If you are a software programmer then the use or creation of open source programs may be of interest to you. However, in the context of developing or using content for course materials the term “open source” has no relevance. The closest, and perhaps best, example of any content material being “open source” is Wikipedia (and its derivatives), because any individual on the web is allowed to modify the content of the individual entries.
|
|
|
