Why Open Source?
This piece of writing is in response to the question asked by Mahesh Sutariya here.
“why would you make it an open source. How it benefits to you?????”
There are many reasons and many benefits.
To start with I have received alot of benefit from others making their projects open source as I detail here. From their work I have learnt what's required to build in this case an energy monitor.
I have learnt much of what I know about how to make things from other peoples willingness to share their knowledge and so creating this website and open sourcing the device is a way of trying to share what I am learning and know, hopefully others will find it useful and will help them develop and make things.
It is amazing the way technology provides us with so many ways to improve our lives and make life more fun. I have always enjoyed designing and making technology. If I come across some technology I am often intrigued as to how it works. If the technology is closed source its like saying No! your not welcome to find out how it works, you can only use it. Your not allowed to take part in the design or the making of it, which if you like designing and making things isn't great.
However if the technology is open source its like here's a technology that you can use and if you want to you can find out how it works, you can take it apart, infact here are the plans, the source and this is how you make it, repair it, modify it. If you have any ideas about how to improve it go ahead . You can also talk to other people designing, using and making it. And your free to share it with your friends with anyone. Which if you like designing and making things is great news!
The reprap project is a great example of why open source is the way forward. They have developed an amazing machine that prints physical things in 3D, it can even print 60% of the parts needed to make itself. It started with Adrian Bowyer from Bath university, he decided to make it open source. There are now people all over the world developing and building Repraps, learning how to make things and anyone can take part. Two companies have started up and are selling kits and fully functioning 3D printers: MakerBot industries. Repraps are a fraction of the cost of their conventional counterparts, you can make a reprap for about £450 while a conventional machine is around £26000.
I think the free and open source method gives us a better framework for developing ideas and technology and its a way of thinking and doing that gives us the opportunity to build a better future.
So in conclusion open source benefits me by:
Allowing me to learn how things work, how to make things (good skills), how to make the things that I want to build. It gives me the opportunity to build upon other peoples work and to meet and connect with people who share the same interests.
Its exiting, its a great way of doing things.
For more Information:
http://www.dwheeler.com/oss_fs_why.html
Wired - Arduino interview: Can Open Source Hardware Work?
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/startups/magazine/16-11/ff_openmanufacturing?currentPage=all