 Linux & Open Source News AlertThis newsletter is sponsored by GatewayLinuxWorld's Linux and Open Source News Alert, 08/29/07Videos! We've got videos! Visit the LinuxWorld Conference And Expo video page for all the conference keynotes, the kernel update from Andrew Morton, and the "Golden Penguin Bowl" game show. LinuxWorld.com Feature Debian stays true to its roots - Bdale Garbee for LinuxWorld, 08/27/07: It's a busy time for the members of the Debian Project. Sam Hocevar took over as the new Debian Project leader in April, right around the time the long-awaited Debian 4.0 or 'Etch,' hit the streets. And, in mid-June, hundreds of active Debian developers, contributors and other software visionaries from around the world met, many for the first time, in Edinburgh, Scotland, at the Debian Project's annual developer conference.
The Debian Project was started in August 1993 by Ian Murdock, and early on he drafted a Debian Manifesto that explained what he hoped to accomplish. The idea of an all-volunteer Linux distribution project quickly attracted a small, passionate group of free software hackers that has evolved into a very large, well-organized community of developers and users. I joined the project about a year after it started, and have remained active ever since. What continues to motivate me to remain involved is that Debian is one of the most impressive examples of distributed software development in the world—and is entirely based on the collaborative work of volunteers. As it grew, the Debian Project crafted a constitution to designate how key decisions would be made. Unlike many other organizations, only tiny bits of power are given to designated people working on the project, like the elected Debian Project Leader, Secretary and Technical Committee. Most rights remain with individual developers, and thus power within Debian is distributed over the entire developer base. There's a voting mechanism for resolving issues that can't be agreed upon simply among individuals. The social contract, constitution and policy documents provide context, and a measure of stability, to empower Debian community members to remain focused on the work at hand. The Debian distribution is a fascinating social phenomenon. Imagine a voluntary group of more than 1,000 registered developers who build and distribute software that is equal or superior to any commercial operating system -- and there’s no company backing them. (read more) More Linux news As Sugar 5.0 debuts, SugarCRM looks to developer version - LinuxWorld, 08/27/07: As SugarCRM readies the final version of its Sugar 5.0 commercial and open source customer relationship management software, the vendor is planning a new platform edition of the software for developers. Warning to check open-source licensing - LinuxWorld, 08/24/07: Business users of open source software should review their open-source licensing agreements, audit their use, and create formal policies for managing source code, especially mixed-source code. U.S. organization edging to Microsoft's Open XML support - LinuxWorld, 08/24/07: In a reversal, the American representative to the ISO standards body is now tentatively supporting the approval of Microsoft's Office Open XML document format as an open standard this year. Guide to: Online security - LinuxWorld, 08/24/07: We asked 10 of the most savvy and experienced security experts and industry veterans to fess up about their own online habits. Microsoft revises anti-Linux campaign with new site - LinuxWorld, 08/24/07: Microsoft has replaced its controversial anti-Linux "Get the Facts" Web site with a kinder, gentler site explaining how its Windows Server operating system compares to open-source Linux as well as other competitive OSes. What’s become of last year’s open source companies to watch? - LinuxWorld, 08/23/07: Ten open source vendors made Network World’s Companies to Watch list one year ago. Read this story to find out what they’re up to today. Open source companies to watch - LinuxWorld, 08/23/07: Open source is being increasingly adopted by enterprises as low-cost solutions for a variety of technical needs. This story highlights eight developing open source projects that are worth watching. LinuxWorld Community LinuxWorld Community, 08/28/07: Will the USA kick Big Oil out of the White House only to end up with Big Software taking its place? When The Economist finds one connection between Hillary Clinton and Microsoft, and we find a couple more. |
| Contact the author: Don Marti is editor of LinuxWorld.com. This newsletter is sponsored by GatewayBONUS FEATUREIT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICESTo subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007 |
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