Abstract

 Kochanik, Michael    Leveraging Open Source and Collaborative Development Processes   

Leveraging Open Source and Collaborative Development Processes

Abstract

Over the past three years there has been a great deal of attention focused on "open source" software products such as the Linux kernel and Apache web server. This software is unique in that it is developed collaboratively by worldwide teams of independent and commercial developers coordinating their activities over the Internet. In both cases, the technologies rapidly achieved substantial market share advantage against commercial offerings and spawned new commercial markets. This presentation is intended to discuss why and how internet based collaborative software development practices normally used in public open source software projects might be adapted within government agencies and commercial enterprises for use in internal IT projects, in order to help improve software quality, promote software reuse, and provide other potential benefits. As required, the presentation will employ actual case studies and active open source development programs to demonstrate the process and technologies involved.