[Fsfe-uk] Open-source geeks are modern heroes, says think tank

[Paul Mobbs]

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/linuxunix/0,39020390,39175467,00.htm

News > Software > Linux-Unix

Open-source geeks are modern heroes, says think tank

Graeme Wearden, ZDNet UK
November 29, 2004, 15:40 GMT


Coders who give up their spare time to contribute to open-source projects are 
the virtual equivalent of lifeboat men, according to latest research from 
Demos

Britain's open-source software developers make a valuable contribution to 
society and the British economy through the high quality of their work, 
according to Demos. 

The UK think tank will publish a report on Tuesday that will underline the 
importance of "Pro-Ams" -- amateurs who pursue a hobby or pastime, in many 
cases an all-consuming passion, to a professional standard.

Demos says that these kind of people have traditionally made a contribution to 
society through involvement with bodies such as lifeboat rescue services or 
The Samaritans, but that they have now branched out into less typical areas.

"Pro-Am astronomers have made significant contributions to our knowledge of 
the universe. And Pro-Am software programmers who are part of the 'open 
source' movement are providing the only real challenge to Microsoft's 
dominance of the personal computing market," said the report.

The think tank pointed out that "derogatory names" such as nerds, geeks and 
anoraks have often been used to describe enthusiasts. It believes that 
Pro-ams is a more suitable label.

The launch earlier this month of Firefox, the open-source Web browser, 
illustrated the power of the open-source movement. While IT giants such as 
IBM, HP and Novell have all embraced the Linux operating system, Microsoft -- 
whose dominance of the desktop computer is threatened by it -- has responded 
with its "Get the Facts" campaign in an attempt to slow market adoption of 
open source.

Demos reported that Pro-Ams are more likely to be men than women, and tend to 
be well-educated people with annual household incomes over £30,000. Pro-Ams 
are evenly split between part-time and full-time workers, but people who 
don’t work are far less likely to be Pro-Ams.

Other Pro-am activities identified include photographers, gardeners and 
alternative therapists.

Demos is interested in Pro-Ams because it believes they help to generate 
"social capital", which can lead to greater community spirit and less crime. 
Because the open-source community is spread around the world and generally 
operate over the Internet, their social contribution is made in a different 
way.

A Demos spokesman, pointing out the positive contribution made by the 
open-source community, said: "I think you could successfully argue that 
open-source enthusiasts are doing in the virtual space what lifeboat men are 
doing for seaside towns."

Demos argues that the government should take active steps to encourage and 
nurture Pro-ams. This could include days off work for employees to engage in 
activities and volunteering, or a national programme for 16- to 21-year-olds 
who want to spend a year on social Pro-Am activities.

However, the think tank is concerned that government intervention could 
actually hinder the open-source world, so it isn't recommending it. 


The report is online at:
http://www.demos.co.uk/proamrevolutionfinal_pdf_media_public.aspx

The DEMOS web site is at:
http://www.demos.co.uk/catalogue/proameconomy/



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(Edward Burroughs, 1659 - from 'Quaker Faith and Practice')


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