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Given at the 2009 MOBIUS Annual Conference, to accompany a lecture. For users with little to no knowledge of OSS.
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Beer, Speech, and Kittens:
Jennifer ParsonsLibrary Support Representative
MOBIUS Consortium Office
An Introduction to Open Source Solutions and What They (Might) Mean to Libraries
What does “open source” mean?open source: (adj.) 1.
• used to describe applications (i.e., software)
•available for free, where
•source code can be accessed, copied, edited, or distributed at the user’s discretion.
What does “open source” mean?Open
•Can be viewed and/or accessed by public•User-created changes allowed by license•Download, save, copy without restrictions
Source•i.e., source code– the human-readable summation of an application•Used by software developers to create or edit software
“Free” as in…Beer
for your personal enjoyment
Speechbenefits the entire
community of users
Kittensfree to take, but
costly to maintain
Q. So what makes it free?A. The license.
Instead of focusing on copyright, creators of open source materials take a “copyleft” approach meant to encourage user interaction.
Some licenses used for OSS:• GNU General Public License (GNU GPL)• Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) License• Mozilla Public License (MPL)
Moral of story: Read the fine print!
What open source is not•Open access•Example: Directory of Open Access Journals (www.doaj.org)
•Free proprietary (“freeware”)•Example: MARCEdit
•The Open Source Movement•Examples: Open Source Initiative (www.oai.org)
Where do open source solutions (OSS) come from?
Hint: It’s not where you think.
Where do OSS come from?Most open source solutions are developed by entire communities devoted to creating, testing, and improving the product over and over again.
Examples:•Apache Software Foundation•Eclipse Foundation•Mozilla Foundation•SourceForge.net•SIMILE Project at MIT
Open Source Solutions in Our Lives
Can include:•Operating systems•i.e., for servers, desktops, mobile phones
•End-user applications•e.g., Web browsers, word processors, image editors
OSS Used by MCO StaffOperating systems•Linux
SSH and SCP•PuTTY•WinSCP
Text editors•Metapad•Notepad++
Web browsers•Mozilla Firefox
Web content•Drupal
Open Source Library SoftwareMade by library professionals for libraries
•Integrated Library Systems (ILS)
•“Next-generation” catalog tools
•End-user applications for library functions
Open Source ILSClient interface software to manage library databases and library transactions (e.g., circulation, cataloging, acquisitions)
•Evergreen (Georgia Public Library Service)
•Koha (Horawhenua Library Trust, New Zealand)
•OpenBiblio (University of Barcelona & Library Association of Catalonia)
•PhpMyLibrary (University of the Philippenes Diliman)
Open Source “Next-generation” catalogsOpen source ILS programs also tend to have “next-generation” interface packages. However, some exist independently and can be integrated with other programs.
•Blacklight (University of Virginia and Stanford University)
•Extensible Catalog (University of Rochester)
•Scriblio (Plymouth State University)
•VUFind (Villanova University)
Open Source End-User Tools for LibrariesDesigned for individual tasks and to work across software packages.
Examples:•‡biblios•Exhibit•Greenstone•Prospero
Libraries That Have Tried OSSIn MOBIUS:•VUFind•Truman State University
Elsewhere:•Evergreen•Michigan Library Consortium
•Koha•MassCat
•Greenstone•Auburn University
Why would a library choose OSS?•Ease of administration•You can do what you want!
•Reliability•Ensured by peer review, not contract
•Cost (of course)•Free as in…
Caveat user!What you save in vendor charges, you may wind up paying for in: •Training
•Lack of support or documentation•Personnel hours•Equipment
So which is cheaper, overall?
Currently, OSS organizations claim an edge in cost……Which means you still pay for using OSS, one way or another.
OSS and the Library Software MarketIn the past, libraries employed automation strategies to manage multiple turnkey applications.
The integrated library system (ILS) was developed in response by software companies.
OSS and the Library Software MarketNow, libraries turning to…
•Software as a Service (SaaS)•Equinox (Evergreen)•LibLime (Koha)
•Supplementing paid products with open source
OSS and Tomorrow’s LibrariesWill open source “open” the
library software market?
•Competition with traditional vendors
•Interactivity•Pricing models•New innovations
OSS and Tomorrow’s Libraries…and create a world where information is more open
and more free?
Thank YouYou, the audience
For your time and consideration
Librarians across MOBIUSFor their curiosity and willingness to experiment with OSS
MACPACFor graciously accepting this presentation
MCO StaffFor support, criticism, and the fantastic idea of using lolcats
Questions? Comments?
Image Credits
Android.comThe Apache Software Foundation (www.apache.org)
I CAN HAS CHEEZBURGER? (www.icanhascheezburger.com)
LOLCATS.comThe Mozilla Project (www.mozilla.org)
OpenOffice.org