IEEE Software has Special Issue on Linux 21
khizard writes "IEEE Software special issue about linux is out. It's very high level (no kernel intrinsic or any clue on linux 2.2 architecture :-) and try to place linux in the current computer industry.
So sad you have to be IEEE member to have full access to the pdf file, but you can still read the abstracts. "
Columnists miss the point (Score:1)
Two IEEE magazines with excellent commentary on Open Source
software arrived in my mail on the same day. Since Mr. McConnell's article speaks of
the difficulty of "striking it rich" after the "surface gold" of new
software markets is depleted, and acid plays an essential part in
extracting metal from low-grade ore, I wonder if the titles were
coordinated.
I agree that there are barriers to "mainstreaming" (covered by Binary Critic Ted Lewis in IEEE Computer) and surviving "After the Gold Rush"
(Steve McConnell, IEEE Software.) These barriers exist whether a product is developed by "two guys in a garage" or companies with substantial capital and marketing muscle. But I think the authors have each missed the essence of open source software.
Mr. Lewis looks at Linux and concludes that it will not cross the chasm to the mainstream. Linux will collapse under its own weight of exponential complexity and inefficiency.
Mr. McConnell states that high risk, new market ("gold rush") projects are vital to the economy and the forward march of technology. Those projects attract the imaginations and efforts
of software the best practitioners. He concludes "Modern software engineering needs to rise to the challenge... [to make] more of these projects successful."
Hello! The natural forces pushing the advance of technology grew tired of waiting for software engineering to increase project success rates. Instead, software developers found a way to make more projects POSSIBLE.
The marketplace is already very efficient at discovering and advancing the best technology and products through "natural selection." With more projects, there will be more successes, regardless of what help or hindrance software engineering brings.
This isn't to say that I disdain software engineering or "best practices." I think software enginerring can shed a great deal of insight into open source development, leading to improvements and lowering barriers even further (getting down to one person in a garage would double the number
of projects.) See "Some Implications of Bazaar Size" http://www.mibsoftware.com/bazdev/ for some ways I think software engineering practices will help.
The success of open source is not dependent on Linux any more than the effects of a rising tide are hindered by a single leaky boat, (which doesn't describe Linux at all.) Linux, the
product, might never cross the chasm. Open Source isn't a product saddled with the need for capital and revenue. It's a philosophy that will continue to succeed because it creates success.
IEEE software is a good mag (Score:1)
If you go to college, your library probably has it.. (mine does)..
oh, just what we need (Score:1)
think it might be (Score:1)
HooSHa! (Score:1)
Zanthor - Tibbs [tibbs.net]
hmmmmmm (Score:1)
hmmmm of course Spectrum just mentioned Linux...
This means very little to us (Score:1)
F*** IEEE and ACM (Score:1)
Er, wait -- how exactly does a non-profit research institution made up of thousands of non-related members gain a monopoly again?
Join IEEE and ACM (Score:1)
don't know what they're talking about. I would
say to them to join either of both of these
societies submit letters or articles. It's
not just a group of stuffy old academics. You can
participate if you want, and you'd be surprised
what good BS filters both of these groups are.
Most of their publications are of high quality
and address important issues. They only care
about your ideas and how well you write.