Slashdot Mirror


Open Source Hardware Projects, 2009

ptorrone writes "MAKE's yearly open source hardware guide is now online with over 125 projects in 19 categories. The creators of all of these projects have decided to publish completely all the source, schematics, firmware, software, bill of materials, parts list, drawings, and 'board' files to recreate the hardware. They also allow any use, including commercial. In other words, you can make a business making and selling any of these objects. This is similar to open source software like Linux, but hardware-centric."

4 of 77 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Make magazine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    You might want to look at their subscriptions, for Australia its about 49 USD for 4 issues the last I checked. Or even the digital version for 5 USD for 4 issues.

    PS: I not way endorsing them, I have no comment on whether I like or hate them.

  2. Re:No by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 4, Informative
    GPL 3 clearly allows commercial use, and is indeed one of the best licenses to use with dual licensing, which is one of the very few proven business methods for Open Source / Free Software.

    A lot of people confuse "use" with "derivative works". Use means run the program.

  3. Re:No by cheesybagel · · Score: 3, Informative

    Stallman used to sell tapes with GNU software, as well as manuals. He even said this was the way he initially supported himself.

  4. Re:The "Arduno" cult by compumike · · Score: 3, Informative

    (Actually, not 32-bit -- it's all still 8-bit, except for the AVR32 line which is another set of chips altogether.)

    You're right, there was a lot lacking and people could be "scared away" from getting started with microcontrollers, but what we're trying to do with NerdKits is make it less scary without hiding the complexity or the conceptual learning. Our hypothesis is that people are actually smart enough to handle real tools, if you show them how, and will be far better off with that experience. Guide newbies through looking at the datasheet, setting registers, etc. Add some unique content that really makes you use your brain, and we've got a lot of very happy customers!