Open Source why bother

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Open Source why bother?
Eric Monteiro NTNU and Univ. of Oslo IDI
Seminar Nov. 2002
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The argument

• Sexy technology BUT
• The ORGANIZATION even more interesting
• Flexible networks/distribution of participants
• Learning practice oriented, prototyping
• Incentives for participating symbolic
  recognition
• Minimum (but existing!) bureacracy/ overhead
• Simple routines for reporting
• How GENERAL is this model of organizing work ??

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Models of innovation

• The Linear Model
• Basic ? applied research, product development
• The Romantic myth
• The ingenious inventor wait for the falling
  apple
• A Collective effort
• Mechanisms ?
• Organization ?
• How to support/cultivate/enable it ?

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A couple of research issues

• creative chaos vs. discipline/structure
• Small scale vs. large scale efforts
• Narratives the stories that capture the lessons
• Incentives symbols