Should I write a paper about open-source software vs. the establishment?

I had my first day of Information Studies class yesterday, and my professor mentioned something about how he wished he didn't have to use Microsoft Office for his work. I instantly thought of OpenOffice.org, so I emailed him when I got back to the dorm and told him about it.

He wrote me back and told me he'd tried it earlier this year and found it too buggy, but said he'd download it and install it and see how he liked it. He wrote me back later and said that it just didn't work for him (he needs better commenting/revision/version tracking than O offers).

But, he asked me if I'd be interested in writing a paper about open-source software/the GNU license and their struggle against the powerful software companies (Microsoft, Oracle, etc.). I'm really interested, but I don't know much about the whole issue. I know I'd learn SO MUCH about the GNU/open-source issue, and that interests me a whole lot. He also said that academic credit could be "easily arranged."

I'm probably going to go in and talk to him during his office hours about the paper, but this makes me really excited! Especially as a freshman, I never thought I'd be involved in something like this so early in college.

 

[Tiger]

Knock yourself out.

 

Bump for the early morning crowd.

 

Bump again...I'm really excited about this, anyone have any guidance for me?

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: JuMpR629
Bump again...I'm really excited about this, anyone have any guidance for me?

If you're discussing open-source, spend some time with the largest on-going open source project on the internet - Unix.

Perhaps you can focus on how lack of cohesion and overall vision keeps *nix variants from being legitimate competitors in the desktop market to the current Establishment? (a.k.a Windows).

Just an idea.

 

[damiano]

talk about the famous linux/mysql/php( or java) trio... which is the most used open source architecture today on the web, and how most small companies nowdays start to use this versus oracle or mickeysoft cuz it is very reliable and FREE !!!!

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Is this meant to be an informative or persuasive essay? If informative, then it'll be cake. If persuasive, you might have a tough time choosing which side is better, since you'll likely find positives from both perspectives.

Good luck, and send it to me when you're done. I could use some extra credit.

 

[ggavinmoss]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: JuMpR629
Bump again...I'm really excited about this, anyone have any guidance for me?

If you're discussing open-source, spend some time with the largest on-going open source project on the internet - Unix.

Perhaps you can focus on how lack of cohesion and overall vision keeps *nix variants from being legitimate competitors in the desktop market to the current Establishment? (a.k.a Windows).

Just an idea.

Haha. If the haters spent a quarter of the time they do making their wares better (read: more usable) as they did complaining, they'd have a chance in hell of making headway in the desktop OS market.

talk about the famous linux/mysql/php( or java) trio... which is the most used open source architecture today on the web

Java's open source now? It's free, but not very open. We've seen how much they like companies changing Java...

-geoff

 

[Pooteh]

ah yes, like how open source is kewl until you want to get paid


lets go for open source music! screw those lazy musicians!


Open source books! i'll just make my book a full quote of yours and sell it for little more then the price of the paper it was printed on

wait.. so its like other ideas that work better in fantasy? hehe

communism is kewl until you realize your neighbor is a lazy corrupt f&ckhead