1. Open Source
at the BBC
Michael Sparks
Senior Research Engineer
BBC Research
michael.sparks@bbc.co.uk
Linux World London 2006
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

2. Who am I?
Currently
Senior Research Engineer
BBC Research
Previously
Software engineer and network
engineer at a mixture of public
and private companies
This talk is based on experience
of both public and private
company usage of
open source
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

3. This talk
This talk will be summarised as a text
document and go online Friday, after
Linux World is over, and be linked from
the Kamaelia website
(hence link & contact details at the
bottom of every page!)
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

4. When
Themes for
this talk
Why
Why
not
How
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

5. Overview
Context
Use Originate
Improve
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

6. Context
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

7. The BBC...
Uses & creates
open source software
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

8. The BBC...
Uses & creates
Proprietary Systems
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

9.
Why?
Good business and
public service reasons
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

10.
Terminology
Free/Libre, Open
Source Software
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

11.
Terminology
Open Source:
Focus on approach...
...not politics
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

12.
When, Why, Why not
& How to...
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

13.
Use
Collaboratively Improve
Originate
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

14. Use
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

15. The BBC...
Obvious Question:
Why use open
source?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

16. The BBC...
No specific policy for
or against
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

17. The BBC...
Tools are evaluated
on their merits
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

18.
Adaptability to the
business is a merit
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

19.
Open source is
adaptable
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

20.
Better Question:
Why avoid open
source software?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

21.
Would you ask:
Why avoid
proprietary software?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

22.
Would you ask:
Why avoid
proprietary software?
Ok, some at this conference yes,
but generally speaking it would
be taken as a given
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

23.
To avoid open source
solutions ...
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

24.
... would limit the BBC's
choices
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

25.
.. cuts you off from
useful technologies
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

26.
.. cuts you off from
community
developments
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

27.
... would avoiding
Apple & even some
Microsoft products
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

28.
... would avoiding
Apple & even some
Microsoft products
Since even these suppliers have some useful
software which either are or or based on open source.
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

29.
Open source software
is difficult to avoid
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

30.
Especially on the
Internet
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

31.
When to evaluate
using an open source
solution?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

32.
When you are looking
for a new solution
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

33.
When you are looking
for a new solution
... alongside any
other solutions
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

34.
Why use an open
source solution?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

35.
Because it provides for
the business need in
the appropriate way
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

36.
Why not use an open
source solution?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

37.
If it does not provide
for the business need
in the appropriately
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

38.
How to use an open
source solution?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

39.
Same way as a
proprietary solution
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

40.
Obtain & install
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

41.
Hire appropriate staff
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

42.
Hire a consultant
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

43.
Hire a services
company
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

44.
How does the BBC use
open source?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

45.
How does the BBC use
open source?
Some highlights
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

46. The BBC...
Network Infrastructure
Apache, Perl, Python,
MySQL, Linux
Proprietary systems are also used here
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

47. The BBC...
Desktop Applications
Firefox
Open Office
(in some areas)
Proprietary systems are much more widely used here
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

48. The BBC...
Desktops
Mac OS X
Linux
(in BBC Research)
Microsoft Windows is the dominant desktop OS at present
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

49.
Benefits to the BBC
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

50.
Adaptability
Stability
Security
Maintainability
Standards
Market Expertise
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

51. Improve
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

52.
We're talking about
contributing back
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

53.
Maintenance
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

54.
You have a problem
not seen before
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

55.
You fix it
or you report it
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

56.
By contributing back
you reduce your
maintenance burden
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

57.
... and encourage
others to do the same
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

58.
What is contribution?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

59.
Code is the most
obvious contribution
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

60.
Bug fixes are the most
welcome contribution
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

61.
A bug report is
contributing back
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

62.
Documentation
errors are bugs
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

63.
Intelligent questions
can lead to improved
documentation
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

64.
Talking about usage is
contributing back
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

65.
Why does the BBC
contribute back?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

66.
Why does the BBC
contribute back?
Perhaps not as often as it would like
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

67.
For all the previous
reasons, but also a
special one
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

68.
Open source is very
similar to traditional
standardisation
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

69.
Any interested and
capable party is
welcome to
participate
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

70.
Long standing
tradition of working in
standards bodies
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

71.
May contribute to any
existing project where
it benefits the BBC
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

72.
Contributing back
as a business
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

73.
When to contribute to
an open source
project?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

74.
When you have
solved a problem or
need to solve one
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

75.
Why contribute back
to an open source
solution?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

76.
Because it helps the
product get better,
which in turn makes it
more valuable to you
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

77.
Why not contribute
back to an open
source project?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

78.
When doing so may
reveal business or
personal confidential
information
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

79.
How to contribute
back to an open
source project?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

80.
Contribute
repeatable, clear,
focussed bug reports
..without expectations
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

81.
Contribute clear,
focussed bug fixes
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

82. bug fixes
Make them focussed
Follow project culture
Make them easy to apply
Make them relevant
Include docs
If you don't know how, ask
otheriwise you will look stupid
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

83. bug fixes
Make them focussed
Follow project culture
Make them easy to apply
Make them relevant
Include docs
If you do it right, your
company will be respected
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

84.
Note: Open source is a
meritocracy – conceptual
contributions are more
important than money
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

85.
Bluntly:
Start talking about money,
and you will often alienate
developers
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

86.
Bluntly:
Start talking about money,
and you will often alienate
developers
even if the work done is often priceless...
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

87. Tip:
If you've never done this,
liase through an open
source consultancy
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

88. Project
Origination
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

89.
We're talking about
new open source
projects from the BBC
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

90.
Why?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

91.
Not your core business,
not a saleable product
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

92.
Standards development,
encouragement
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

93.
External collaboration
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

94.
Peer review
Repeatability
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

95. A key one:
Will be developed
anyway
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

96. A key one:
Will be developed
anyway
eg: in house tools
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

97.
Will be developed
anyway
no feedback == no loss
any feedback == benefit
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

98.
Will be developed
anyway
less obvious: increase
market sector viability
for your business
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

99.
Will be developed
anyway
less obvious: increase
market sector viability
for your business
eg, email, web, the internet as a whole
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

100.
BBC Open Source
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

101.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/opensource
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

102.
Does not host BBC
open source projects
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

103.
Only contains pointers
to the projects
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

104.
Why?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

105.
Once you release the
code, you are no
longer in control of
that code
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

106.
Community hosting
makes it clear the
code is community
owned
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

107.
Code cannot be
taken away
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

108.
What has the BBC
originated as open
source projects?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

109.
Kamaelia, Dirac, TV­Anytime
API, Betsie, Media Dispatch,
MXF File Test Engine, Video
Shot Change Detector,
Media Lounge, Pony, 2
Apache Modules, 10 CPAN
Modules, BAP Tools, ID3v2
Chapter tools, Flash tools,
AFFEditPack, ....
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

110.
Dirac
To develop a royalty free
video codec for online and
offline delivery
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

111.
Dirac
Benefits of release include:
Community collaboration,
peer review, and critique by
peers for standardisation
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

112.
Dirac
Downside of release includes:
People viewing release of
Dirac as entering direct
competition with suppliers
Release enables collaboration
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

113.
Kamaelia
Original aim: to develop tools
for scalable long term online
delivery of all BBC content
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

114.
Kamaelia
Community collaboration is
evolving the system into a
general purpose multimedia
toolkit
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

115.
Kamaelia
Revised high level BBC aims:
To do for software systems what IKEA has
done for furniture, and spreadsheets
have done for traditional business
but for the BBC's business of
storytelling and distribution
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

116.
Kamaelia
Benefits of release include:
Peer review; a much more
general purpose and hence
more generally useful system,
and dissemination from R&D
dept into the business
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

117.
and so on.
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

118.
Appropriate Licensing
Both pre­ceding use the “Mozilla
Tri­License”, why?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

119.
MPL – explicit patent grant
GPL – most widely used license
LGPL – most appropriate for a
library
For prior 2 projects
interoperation on all 3 levels
has been impotant
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

120.
For businesses...
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

121.
When to originate an
open source project?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

122.
When you have
software developed
in­house as an
overhead not as
product
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

123.
Why originate an
open source project?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

124.
When you have an
in­house tool that you
think others will find
useful
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

125.
When it will benefit
your market sector
making it more
attractive & viable
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

126.
Communities of
companies can
generate wealth
for all concerned
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

127.
To gain competitive
advantage –
consumers prefer
open platforms
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

128.
Why not originate an
open source project?
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

129.
When you gain
real competitive
advantage by not
doing so
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

130.
When that software is
all you sell
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

131.
If you're not prepared
to accept community
contributions
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

132.
If you're not willing to
risk letting go of
control of the
codebase
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

133.
If your code contains
secrets of any kind
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

134.
How to originate an
open source project
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

135.
Create a project on
an independent
hosting site
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

136.
Sourceforge
Google Code
Berlios
etc
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

137.
Choose a license and
understand its
implications
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

138.
Create a contributor
agreement
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

139.
Create mailing lists
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

140.
General
Announcements
Version control
commits
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

141.
Create a project blog
use it when anything
notable happens
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

142.
Create a project blog
use it when anything
notable happens
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

143.
Release something
usable
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

144.
Focus on the code in any
release announcement,
not on you
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

145.
Don't expect instantaneous
success
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

146.
Read how others have done it
“Cathedral & Bazaar”
“Producing Open Source
Software”
“Hackers & Painters”
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

147.
Don't expect instantaneous
success
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

148.
Finally
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

149.
This talk was titled “open
source at the BBC”
Proprietary software is as
widely if not more widely
used inside the BBC
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

150.
If you want to use
proprietary software the
business world is geared up
to help you.
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

151.
If you want to improve
proprietary software the
traditional way is to start a
new business
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

152.
If you want to create
proprietary software you
do the same thing
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

153.
In either case, evaluate
each based on their merits
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

154.
Private businesses have
the option of ideology
as a merit
Public services do not
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/

155. More information:
BBC OSS FAQs:
http://tinyurl.com/yjyx83
Joel on Software – Strategy Letter V
http://tinyurl.com/4haso
Cathedral & Bazaar
http://tinyurl.com/3ald3
This talk will be summarised on my blog:
http://yeoldeclue.com/blog
Kamaelia Michael Sparks, michaels@rd.bbc.co.uk, http://kamaelia.sf.net/