The cooperative development of Linux

Author

Wiegand, James

Author_Institution

Electr. Eng. Dept., Temple Univ., Philadelphia, PA, USA

fYear

1993

fDate

5-8 Oct 1993

Firstpage

386

Lastpage

390

Abstract

Linux is a UNIX clone being developed by a cooperative of software authors. The entire source code is freely distributable, protected by the Free Software Foundation "copyleft." The cooperative development of Linux is examined in detail. Emerging group dynamics are surveyed to find how the current Linus "club" came to assemble itself. The "club" model shows how the facilities of the Internet and USENET became their virutal meeting place. Analysis of current projects shows how the participants divide themselves into groups according to their interest, and work in these interlocked circles to add to the entire effort. The "club" model serves as a model for future software development using electronic communications

Keywords

groupware; operating systems (computers); software engineering; Internet; Linux; UNIX clone; USENET; club model; cooperative development; copyleft.; electronic communications; group dynamics; interlocked circles; software development; source code; Assembly; Education; International collaboration; Laboratories; Linux; Microprocessors; Operating systems; Professional communication; Programming profession; Software testing;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Professional Communication Conference, 1993. IPCC 93 Proceedings. 'The New Face of Technical Communication: People, Processes, Products'

Conference_Location

Philadelphia, PA

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/IPCC.1993.593896

Filename

593896