Description:

The hot topics in information technology right now are Linux and Open Source. But what does Open Source offer those, who may not see their computer as a matter of life and death? Open Life: The Philosophy of Open Source spotlights the people, businesses, values and practices of the Open Source world. Divided into four parts, Open Life starts rather philosophically by comparing the concepts of openness and mean-spiritedness highlighting the latter’s devious impact on our life. Part Two explores the Open Source culture from the time Linus Torvalds began writing code for his new operating system, how he behaves as a leader, and stating the virtues of a programmer. Part Three reviews some Open Source business models and evaluates both their economic and ethical sustainability. Leaving the world of software behind, Part Four considers how open business models can be applied in fields as diverse as mining, literature, and fashion design.