My accompanying slides to my video blog. This episode is about open source software and open source hardware. See video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ynE_KbDaS0 See my Video Blog: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtUcgFWvhZbknS5LxvfbMrw

1. #2 Open Source
Introduction
Open source hardware and software

2. What is Open
Source
Hardware? Typically describes the designs,
and design artefacts being freely
available, modifiable and shareable.

3. Examples of Open Source Hardware
Arduino: design and produce several
Microcontroller boards and the Arduino
IDE
Adafruit: design and produce various
electronics for hobbyists
Sparkfun: design and produce various
electronics for hobbyists

4. What are the Design artefacts?
The designs usually consist of detailed Schematics
PCB layouts
Component selections known as Bill of Materials (BOM)

5. How do I share these artefacts?
The designs that are made available should include editable sources that the user
and open in an appropriate editing application such as CAD or EDA tools.
Some communities provide online tools to design and share these designs.
Examples include:
EasyEDA
CricuitMaker
OSHpark.com

6. Pros of Open Source Hardware
Free!
Great learning experience!
Build hardware that is often many times cheaper than
commercially available ones
Use proven designs that work (mostly)
Can sell the physical hardware without restriction

7. Cons of Open Source Hardware
Documentation and support often is minimal
Be sure you are able to fill in the gaps yourself!
Getting the exact same parts is sometimes hard
due to geographical or cost differences
Substituting parts for modern equivalents can be
rabbit hole for the uninitiated

8. What is Open
Source
Software? packages of code that can be
accessed, modified and distributed
freely (but it gets more complicated)

9. Examples of Open Source Software
Linux
Mozilla Firefox
parts of Chrome browser
Inkscape
GIMP
KDEnLive
KiCAD

10. Why is Open Source Software complicated?
“Open Source Software” is an umbrella term
Various Software Licences exist, each with their own specific mandate, examples:
GNU-GPL/LGPL
BSD/FreeBSD
MIT
Apache
Mozilla
Creative Commons

11. How do I get involved in Open Source Software?
GET: Download or “clone” the software repository that is publically available which
contains all the source code. Usually in a Zip file or a Git repository
MODIFY: Various development tools are usually required (and knowledge of how
to use them) along with an idea of how to configure the software build to get the
desired outputs.
INVOLVE: Most public repositories include a form of Feature/Issues list that can
be viewed and updated by the community members. This gives a clue as to what
the status of the code is.

12. Overview of the Open Source process

13. Pros of Open Source Software
No Monetary cost
Inspect source code
Modify code to users needs
Fix issues in code
Contribute fixes back to the
source/community

14. Cons of Open Source Software
Sometimes hard to get running
Documentation can be sparse and
support may be limited and
informal
Not always the best solution (time
wise) in commercial applications

15. Conclusion
Open source is a great way get hold of and to distribute ideas. With the added
investment of time and research, if permissible is often a great way to get started
for the hobbyist and small businesses.
With the massive commercial ventures that have started promoting the use and
development of open source or free content is on the rise. The monetisation of
these products is also being changed, all for the benefit of the customer.
What an exciting time to be living!