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MIT Press Book On Open Source Now Free

Posted by kdawson on from the as-in-beer dept.

eaglemoon writes "MIT Press has released its book Perspectives on Free and Open Source Software as a free PDF download. The book is a collection of research essays covering topics such as open source motivation, economics, business models, software development process and tools, law, and community. Sort of like 'Open Sources' from academics. David Parnas, Larry Lessig, Eric von Hippel, and Clay Shirky are among the contributors."

4 of 51 comments (clear)

  1. Free? by omeomi · · Score: 4, Interesting

    So, is anybody going to argue that it's not "free" because you can't edit and redistribute it yourself?

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    ZuluPad, the wiki notepad on crack
    1. Re:Free? by omeomi · · Score: 4, Funny

      Oh goody! I, for one, can't wait until people start arguing that free beer isn't free, because you can't open, modify, and then redistribute it legally. That will make the whole "free as in beer" argument so much more exciting.

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      ZuluPad, the wiki notepad on crack
  2. not to nitpick but... by east+coast · · Score: 4, Insightful

    MIT has made a ton of stuff free to the unwashed masses. Is this a big deal simply because it involves open source or is this a really noteworthy book like "Design Patterns" or "Code Complete"?

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    Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
  3. MIT and Openness by wile_e_wonka · · Score: 4, Informative

    MIT publishes a magazine called Technology Review, which I have been a reader of for some time now. There came a time a few years back when they required a subscription to view online material, much like Scientific American and many other magazines do. This was after the school had begun their OpenCourseWare program, and I thought it seemed contrary to where the school was headed. I emailed the magazine and told them essentially that. I have no idea if my email played a part (I'm sure it was one of many similar emails--Technology Review really is a great magazine (one I'd be willing to pay for if I wasn't so darn poor...I'm a student)). But anyway, within a few days, the content was all freely accessable again.