The establishment of the Internet has altered the way people go about their day. In reading Steven Weber’s “Political Economy of Open Source Software” he describes the economy of open source software and how it affects our current society. Weber describes that Open source software as three essential features. He states, “Open source allows free re-distribution of the software without royalties or licensing fees. The source code made available for no more than the cost of distribution. It allows anyone to modify the software and redistribute the modified software under the same term”. In grasping this information open source allows your brand to be modified by the open public. The product could be re-distributed legally and made available at a standard price.
Weber describes most writing and analysis as a job that is mostly done by computer hackers who are apart of another open source project. He characterizes the open source model as a methodology for research, binds a group of people to create a common good, replace production structures, and political movements. To me open source is a collaborative system where everyone works together to help society. Open source software is accessible to the public and creates greater equity between the producer and consumer according to Weber.
Steven Weber presents the company Linux as an example of an open source project which includes thousands developers who work from all around the world without direct pay or compensation. He states that Linux has attracted the most attention because of their technical competitive success. In reading this article I got this idea that the main mandate is to create to improve society rather then create an economic system to make a profit.
