A Critical Approach to Open Source Software

A Critical Approach to Open Source Software by Stefan Görling -
Thesis Abstract: - The purpose of this masters’ thesis was to discuss a number of assumptions regarding the benefits of Open Source software projects. By studying what has been written about Open Source combined with a number of own data collections, this thesis argues that:
• Brooks law is still valid in Open Source projects
• Many Open Source projects are failures
• Open Source culture is a product of the 90s, not the 70s
• Open Source is no guarantee for reduced lock-in effects
• Our most famous Open Source projects are not built up by nerds working for free, but professionals, employed by commercial companies to contribute to the projects.
• Large Open Source projects are often hierarchical and bureaucratic
• Opening your source does not automatically lead to a large number of contributors
• Open Source breeds diversity, not a single winner
• Open Source projects often targets the community itself, rather than external actors
• Companies benefiting from Open Source are often based on traditional business models rather than revolutionary visions
• Open Source is not necessarily an efficient way to develop software
The thesis is available as a .pdf document by clicking here.