Open Source vs opensource

[fwilf at morganlewis.com]

Paolo,

This is the computer industry.  What do you *want* the terms to mean?  ;-)

The OSI definition of "Open Source" is well documented at
http://www.opensource.org/docs/osd and on this list (and related lists and
web sites)

The generic use of the term "open source" is open to interpretation.  Much
of the OSI definition (the "OSD") evolves from what open source
professionals and users *want* the term to mean.  Attributes include
availability of the source code, the right to modify the source code, and
the requirement that modified versions of the source code also be made
available.

So, there are some differences between the generic term "open source"
(which no one owns, and thus is open to debate), and the Open Source
Definition as implemented by OSI.

What is the particular issue or application you and your friend are
discussing?

All the best,

Fred Wilf
___________________________________________________________________
Frederic M. Wilf  <>  Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP
fwilf at morganlewis.com  <>  www.morganlewis.com
215.963.5453  <>  1701 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
609.919.6646  <>  502 Carnegie Center, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
___________________________________________________________________



                                                                       
             "Paolo                                                    
             Ciarrocchi"                                               
             <paolo.ciarrocchi                                          To
             @gmail.com>               license-discuss at opensource.org  
                                                                        cc
             11/21/07 04:47 AM                                         
                                                                   Subject
                                       Open Source vs opensource       
                                                                       
                                                                       
                                                                       
                                                                       
                                                                       
                                                                       




Hi all,
this is my first post here so I do apologize in advance if I'm raising
a question not appropriate to this mailing list. If so, please point
me the right discussion board :-)

I'm having a discussion with a local Lug member about the definition
of Open Source, we are now stuck because he started arguing about the
difference between opensource and Open Source.

Well, to be hones this is the first time I heard about a possible
difference between the Open Source and opensource. My understanding is
that he believes that opensource means "availability of source code"
while Open Source means what we all know, "availability of source
code" and an OS license.

Is it correct to state that an opensource software is different from
an Open Source one?

Thanks.
--
Paolo
http://paolo.ciarrocchi.googlepages.com/




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