Open source is for lovers

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opens source is for lovers

Opensource.com

It's true. If you think about the characteristics of open source and the qualities of a successful relationship, you will find a lot of overlap.

OPEN: You have to be open and flexible to make a relationship work. Going back to my favorite analogy in regards to open source software and proprietary software--proprietary software is like buying a car with the hood welded shut. Oh, you need to change to oil? Too bad. Buy a new car. If we aren't flexible and open to change--if our hoods are welded shut--it makes it extremely difficult to keep the (love) engine running.

TRANSPARENCY: Secrets ruin relationships. Need I say more?

TRUST: Without trust in a relationship, you will drive yourself and your partner c-r-a-z-y. You will always think the other person is up to no good and assume the worst-case scenario.

PASSION: Naturally, the open source way attracts the passionate, it attracts those that want to be the change. If you aren't passionate about your relationship, you will stop working on it, and from there the rest unravels fairly easily.

SELF-STARTING: Open source is for the ones who "walk the walk." You want change? Do something about it. If you are interested in someone and you just think about it, you lose.

COLLABORATION: A successful open source community is about teamwork and collaboration. The same is true for a rewarding relationship. You give and you take.

RELEASE EARLY, RELEASE OFTEN: In relationships we don't get it right all the time, but you can't stop trying. This is also true in the open source model. Then you build something stronger and better.

Add on to the analogy--I think it could go on for a good little bit. Happy Valentine's Day from one open source lover to another!

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Mary Ann Bitter is a Creative Strategist for Red Hat's Marketing Communications & Design team. She lives at the intersection of business and design and believes the open source values have never been more relevant than they are today.  She is passionate about problem solving and working with people who give a damn.

7 Comments

Specially HaPpY VALEnTinE'S Day to Linux!
:D

If you are lucky, it never ends. You just keep building and building. The work is never complete, but sustained shared effort over time yields useful results.

Love is one of the easiest things to give and share with others. It's the whole 'pay-it-forward' idea: if you're feeling the love, I think it's more likely you'll be more loving towards others, and they in turn to others, etc. So spread the love, people!!

Still gotta look out for those forks!

They'll make you split your development time between them all! My wife and I have 3 forks currently, all 10 and under. :)

This is a great post. If you haven't already, check out fsfe.org's website with a Valentine's day "I ♥ Free Software" theme. It's super cute!

Thanks for this wonderful post! I posted the translation of it on my blog in Russian :) http://funofteaching.tumblr.com/post/3306384300/open-source

very nice post :)

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