How is open source work (as an example of community produsage) different from commercial production?

Open Source

A basic definitioin for "open source" (also sometimes referred to as "free software") is the development method used for many pieces of software, where the source is freely available for anyone to work on, or modify, or learn from, or use in other projects (ArmLinux, 2008).
The idea behind open source is that any programmer can utilise and build on the software for free. One of the main benefits is that many developers use, modify and build on the source code so the software evolves very quickly (Butterfly Internet, 2008). Open source is a development method for software that harnesses the power of distributed peer review and transparency of process. The promise of open source is better quality, higher reliability, more flexibility, lower cost, and an end to predatory vendor lock-in.

Some consider Open Source as a set of principles and practices that promote access to the design and production of goods and knowledge. Some consider open source as one of various possible design approaches, while others consider it a critical strategic element of their operations. Before open source became widely adopted, developers and producers used a variety of phrases to describe the concept; the term open source gained popularity with the rise of the Internet, which provided access to diverse production models, communication paths, and interactive communities (Wikipedia).

Examples of Open Source:

• Apache HTTP Server
• Mozilla Firefox
• Internet Protocol
• Linux

According to the Open Source Initiative the distribution terms of open-source software must comply with the following criteria:

1. Free Redistribution
2. Source Code
3. Derived Works
4. Integrity of the Author's Source Code
5. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups
6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor
7. Distribution of License
8. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product
9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software
10. License Must Be Technology-Neutral

Commercial/Proprietary Software

Proprietry software is in some ways the complete opposite to Open Source. It is basically any computer software with restrictions on use or private modification, or with restrictions judged to be excessive on copying or publishing of modified or unmodified versions. The term proprietary software is thus the antonym of free software, generally speaking. These restrictions are placed on it by one of its propietors. Other terms used to describe this concept include "closed-source software" and "non-free software" (Wikipedia).

These restrictions are enforced by either legal or technical means, or both. The most common form of technical restriction is by releasing programs that are only computer-readable (for example, in binary format), and withholding the human-readable source code. Means of legal enforcement can involve copyright (with a restrictive software licence) and patents. The source code of such programs is usually regarded as a trade secret by the owner. Access to source code by third parties commonly requires the party to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Examples of Proprietary Software:

• Microsoft Windows
• Apple iTunes
• Adobe Photoshop
• Realplayer

How is Web 2.0 different to Web 1.0?

On the most basic level;
Web 1.0 includes most website in the period between 1994 and 2004.
Web 2.0 is the state of the World Wide Web, following Web 1.0.

However, these differences go far deeper. According to one writer the ten key differences between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 are:
1. Open standards Base: Ensure service connectivity is reliable
2. Ubiquitious Broadband: The infrastructure is now available to support web 2.0 models.
3. Less investment required: Companies can get far without a massive investment meaning companies can quickly be incubated to spread the risk.
4. Better Browsers: New format support, RSS etc enriches the user experience
5. Powerful development environments: AJAX is young but powerful and holds the promise of being easier to use compared to J2EE
6. Device convergance: Ability to access the web from a multitude of devices means on-demand services are more functional for real everyday use.
7. More Innovation: The de-skilling of the technological requirements mean more people get involved in trying to create, often from a more creative user-base.
8: Change in Use: The focus of the web and web 2.0 is firmly on usefuleness and in many cases commercial basis.
9. Maturity: Resiliance and Scalability are easier to provide with cheaper hardware and better understanding of how to achieve this.
10.History: Lessons from the dot com crash are not easily forgotten…
(Jana Techonology Services, 2006)

At the Technet Summit in November 2006, Reed Hastings, founder and CEO of Netflix, stated a simple formula for defining the phases of the Web:
“Web 1.0 was dial-up, 50K average bandwidth, Web 2.0 is an average 1 megabit of bandwidth and Web 3.0 will be 10 megabits of bandwidth all the time, which will be the full video Web, and that will feel like Web 3.0.” (Hastings, 2006)

According to Wikipedia, "Web 2.0 is a trend in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aims to facilitate creativity, information sharing, and, most notably, collaboration among users. These concepts have led to the development and evolution of web-based communities and hosted services, such as social-networking sites, wikis, blogs, and folksonomies."

The short answer, for many people, is to make a reference to a group of technologies which have
become deeply associated with the term: blogs, wikis, podcasts, RSS feeds etc., which facilitate a
more socially connected Web where everyone is able to add to and edit the information space. The longer answer is rather more complicated and pulls in economics, technology and new ideas about the connected society. To some, though, it is simply a time to invest in technology again—a time of renewed exuberance after the dot-com bust.

However, Sir Tim Berners-Lee (the inventor of the web) has an opposing view on the concept of Web 2.0. When asked in an interview for a podcast, published on IBM’s website, whether Web 2.0 was different to what might be called Web 1.0 because the former is all about connecting people, he replied:
"Totally not. Web 1.0 was all about connecting people. It was an interactive space, and I think Web 2.0 is of course a piece of jargon, nobody even knows what it means. If Web 2.0 for you is blogs and wikis, then that is people to people. But that was what the Web was supposed to be all along. And in act, you know, this 'Web 2.0', it means using the standards which have been produced by all these people working on Web 1.0."
(Anderson, 2007)

Online Communities

ONLINE COMMUNITIES
What are they and how do we organise them?

Online communities consist of what are usually like minded people who come together online to participate, debate and share information. These online communities (sometimes referred to as virtual communities) are not however just about communicating with people globally with whom you have the same interests, but is also about staying in-touch with real-life friends and acquaintances. These virtual relationships are maintained effectively through the use of social software such as topical sites, chatrooms or even interactive virtual worlds (Dibben, 2008).

The website for an online community can serve several purposes:
- provision of information about the community and how to participate.
-hosting of the tools of communication and conferencing; and
- knowledge management for the community- providing ways to organise relevant information contributed by the community and history of the community
(Dibben, 2008)

The majority of the difficulties that lie with organising an online community are due to it's "uncontrollable nature." As stated by one freelance technology consultant in an interview, "an organisation has to deal with a community that is more difficult to control than one built in real-life, since members can interact between each other quite easily, even organise themselves independently." (Cutrupi, 2006)

Ultimately, the way to successfully organise an online community and ensure it's success and longevity is to follow the following steps:
- build personal relationships among community members
- develop an active, passionate core group
- create forums for thinking together as well as systems for sharing information
- make it easy to contribute and access the community's knowledge and practices
- create real dialogue about cutting edge issues and information
- focus on topics important to the community
- find a well-respected community member to coordinate/facilitate the community
- make sure people have time and encourage participation
- get key though leaders involved
(Dibben, 2008)

Online communities are a great way to allow people from varying backgrounds, contribute ideas on common interests and ideals.