Freely available source code, with contributions from thousands of programmers around the world: this is the spirit of the software revolution known as Open Source. Open Source has grabbed the computer industry's attention. Netscape has opened the source code to Mozilla; IBM supports Apache; major database vendors haved ported their products to Linux. As enterprises realize the power of the open-source development model, Open Source is becoming a viable mainstream alternative to commercial software. Now in Open Sources, leaders of Open Source come together for the first time to discuss the new vision of the software industry they have created. The essays in this volume offer insight into how the Open Source movement works, why it succeeds, and where it is going. For programmers who have labored on open-source projects, Open Sources is the new gospel: a powerful vision from the movement's spiritual leaders. For businesses integrating open-source software into their enterprise, Open Sources reveals the mysteries of how open development builds better software, and how businesses can leverage freely available software for a competitive business advantage. The contributors here have been the leaders in the open-source arena:

• Brian Behlendorf (Apache)
• Kirk McKusick (Berkeley Unix)
• Tim O'Reilly (Publisher, O'Reilly & Associates)
• Bruce Perens (Debian Project, Open Source Initiative)
• Tom Paquin and Jim Hamerly (mozilla.org, Netscape)
• Eric Raymond (Open Source Initiative)
• Richard Stallman (GNU, Free Software Foundation, Emacs)
• Michael Tiemann (Cygnus Solutions)
• Linus Torvalds (Linux)
• Paul Vixie (Bind)
• Larry Wall (Perl)

This book explains why the majority of the Internet's servers use open- source technologies for everything from the operating system to Web serving and email. Key technology products developed with open-source software have overtaken and surpassed the commercial efforts of billion dollar companies like Microsoft and IBM to dominate software markets. Learn the inside story of what led Netscape to decide to release its source code using the open-source mode. Learn how Cygnus Solutions builds the world's best compilers by sharing the source code. Learn why venture capitalists are eagerly watching Red Hat Software, a company that gives its key product -- Linux -- away. For the first time in print, this book presents the story of the open- source phenomenon told by the people who created this movement. Open Sources will bring you into the world of free software and show you the revolution.

Rating:

Rating:

Rating:

Open Sources Review,  September 24 2000
Submitted by Joe Black   [Respond | View]

The chapter by Linus is charismatic and humorous. A definite read. RMS and the developers at Cygnus are interesting too. Lots of good stuff.


Open Sources Review,  April 07 1999
Submitted by Andrew Pimlott   [Respond | View]



"Open Sources" is a comprehensive and topical collection of beautiful
essays. You won't find more relevant information or as many thoughtful
opinions on this movement in one place. It may sound repetitive if you've
been following free software for years, but the reference value compensates.
And Appendix A (the famous "Linux is obsolete" debate) is a worthwhile
companion for any Linux (or Linus) fan.

However, I was disappointed in the care that O'Reilly gave to the production
of such an important handbook. The many typographical errors suggest that
it was edited hastily. Worse, the Introduction by DiBona, Ockman and Stone
is fraught with inaccuracies and appears positively meretricious before the
wonderful and insightful pieces that follow.



Open Sources Review,  April 01 1999
Submitted by Robert K.   [Respond | View]



Wow, picked it up and read it cover to cover.
Exclent , a must read and a keeper too....
Will there be a sequel? When will it be out? :)

Anchorage, Alaska


Open Sources Review,  March 25 1999
Submitted by seven-three-six-six-2-dot-2-six-five-one   [Respond | View]



I found this book significantly less valuable than the other reviews would lead one to believe. My opinion is on amazon.com.


Open Sources Review,  February 01 1999
Submitted by Senior Programmer @ IBM   [Respond | View]



It is encouraging to see the three big names in the Free Software community collaborating with some of the other contributors like Eric Raymond and Bruce Perens on a book who's time has come. And the color commentary from Richard Stallman is amusing though relevant somehow. The fact that Sam Ockman's name is on this should, by itself, act as a sign that says "BUY ME" and I was pleasantly surprised to find that the pressure to buy was well deserved. This book is a keeper.


Open Sources Review,  March 06 1998
Submitted by Danny Faught   [Respond | View]



My review, which was written for the Dallas/Fort Worth Unix Users Group newsletter, is available at http://www.rstcorp.com/~faught/DFWUUG/open_sources.html.

I didn't realize when I wrote the review that the book itself is Open Source and available online. How appropriate!

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