Ethical Considerations when implementing OSS
I. Background
Starting from 1998, some of the people in the free software community began using the term "Open Source Software" instead of "Free Software". At that time, I was working for Sun Microsystem for one of the "Open Source Software" project -- localization of Mozilla. Sun Microsystem is one of the biggest system company in the "Open Source Software" community.
a) Difference between "free software" and "open source"
Comparing to "Free Software", the term ``open source software'' is associated with a different engineering approach, different values, and even a different criterion for which licenses are acceptable. We differentiate the Free Software movement and the Open Source movement with different views and goals, although engineers can and do work together on some practical projects.
The fundamental difference between the two movements is in their values. For the Open Source movement, the issue of whether software should be open source is a practical question, not an ethical one. Open source is a development methodology, whereas free software is a social movement. In other words, Open Source Software is not absolutely free, non-free software is optional. For the Free Software approach, software should be free.
However, the official definition of "Open Source Software,'' as published by the Open Source Initiative, is very close to our definition of free software. The obvious meaning for the expression ``open source software'' is ``You can look at the source code.'' What does that mean? Actually, by this definition, free software, semi-free programs such as Xv, and even some proprietary programs, are all "Open Source Software" since we can look at the source code as long as we have the licence.
Linux is "open source'' software meaning, simply, that anyone can get copies of its source code files.
I think the defintion of "Open Source Software" from the state of Kansas is better:
"Make use of open-source software (OSS). OSS is software for which the source code is freely and publicly available, though the specific licensing agreements vary as to what one is allowed to do with that code."
The explanation for ``free software'' is simple -- a person who has the right to use the software for zero price.
The main argument for the term "open source software'' is that "free software'' makes some people uneasy. We can easily find this kind of argument in any "open source software" community.
The notion that software should be free is one that is highly critiqued within the technology industry. Free, as in the idea that users can obtain the source code for any given program, and modify and redistribute it as they like. Currently most all software produced is proprietary in nature. Corporations pay developers to create proprietary software that they then obstruct (so that no modifications can be made), and sell (to turn a profit). Richard Stallman has been fighting the idea of proprietary software, and specifically software ownership, for decades. Stallman holds the stance that software ownership is a detriment to society, and stifles innovation, education, and social cohesion.
More advanced technology users can make copies and distribute it to the general public for free. The people who are the originators of this information seem to be a step behind the those users who attempt to distribute the information for free. Many internet users are aware that there are ways to get this information for free and will go to lengths to avoid paying for it. Some users risk downloading viruses onto their electronics in order to avoid paying fees charged by the makers of information that they are trying to get a hold of. This problem caused a big push more legislation around copyright
A nurmel-sozid, nun-edhirint spliin os eppruechid by onotoel dovosoun uf thi logemintuas ettechmints, asaelly bigonnong woth thi splinuculoc logemint (5). Farthir mubolozetoun os echoivid by dovodong thi splinurinel logemint, elluwong thi spliin tu bi fuldid furwerd, thas mekong thi urgen muri eccissobli (7). Indovodael logetoun end cunsicatovi dovosoun uf thi shurt gestroc vissils thin tekis pleci, whoch ixpusis thi splinoc holam (5). Griet ceri mast bi tekin darong splinoc holer dossictoun tu evuod onjarong thi teol uf thi pencries (7).
There is a long history of single-sex schooling, in which males and females attend specific classes or schools only with members of their same sex. This separation of genders may be done for educational purposes or in combination with other factors, such as social interactions that occur between male and female students. There is some support for the idea that single-sex schooling can be beneficial, especially for outcomes related to academic achievement and more positive academic aspirations (Lee, 2008). Although, there are many benefits of children attending single-sex schools, evidence shows that sex segregation can also gender stereotyping and legitimizes institutional sexism (Kennedy, 2000).
Spencer, Bettina. “Only Girls Who Want Fat Legs Take the Elevator: Body Image in Single-Sex and Mixed-Sex Colleges”. Sex Roles. 69.7/9 (2013): 469-479. Academic Search Premier. Web. 30 Jan. 2014.
Why do people pirate software? The obvious answer is: people want to use the software, but not pay for it. However, when we change the question slightly, to: “Why do people steal source code?” A variety of interesting answers can pop up. Possibly, the thief wants to modify the code, make copies of it, and proceed to sell it as his own creation -- for a profit. Or, perhaps the perpetrator is a raging open source advocate and he simply wants to examine the stolen code to improve his programming skills. As harmless as the latter may sound, it is still a clearly defined crime in virtually every hi-tech country in the world.1
The term “ethical business” is seen, by many people, as an oxymoron. This is because a business’s main objective is to make as much money as possible. Making the most money possible, however, can often lead to unethical actions. Companies like Enron, WorldCom, and Satyam have been the posterchildren for how corporations’ greed lead to unethical practices. In recent times however, companies have been accused of being unethical based on, not how they manage their finances, but on how they treat the society that they operate in. People have started to realize that the damage companies have been doing to the world around them is more impactful and far worse than any financial fraud that these companies might be engaging in. Events like the BP oil
Consumer software programs are compiled and translated into machine language before they are sold. Some manufacturers provide source code, but usually only programmers find the source code useful. Thus programs bought off the shelf can be executed, but usually their source code cannot be read or modified.
According to Aquilano, Chase, and Jacobs (2005), "Operations management (OM) is defined as the design, operation, and improvement of the systems that create and deliver the firm's primary products and services" (p.19).
When the internet was considered a global information system in 1995 millions of Americans participated in virtual communication. People began to communicate with each other and personal information began to be placed online by the stroke of the fingertips to their own computer. So the question is the privacy of individuals trusted online? Can people snoop around and see personal information? Of course people can if guidelines are not set in place to protect them. Public and private information can be complex when some individual(s) do not expect their communication to be read outside of their online community. What will be discussed are some ethical responsibilities that need to take place in the United States. Respecting the individual privacy and honor confidentiality is a must in this country.
copyrighted software by a person or entity that has not been licensed to use the
and distributing it or installing more than one copy of one piece of software on
Summers, Christopher B. “Md. Should Support Single-Sex Schools.” Baltimore Sun. Mar. 2013: A.13. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. Jan. 2014.
An Operating system is system software that controls the system’s hardware that interacts with users and the application software. As we all may know, Windows Microsoft has always been a commercial high-level sale in the retail industry and an in domain operating system used today. But there are more operating systems than just Windows Microsoft than the general population may assume. Linux is another well-known operating systems, which is free and open-source software. Linux is also used in companies we would have never thought of like Google, NASA, USPS, Amazon and many more companies. Linux and Microsoft operating systems have been in competition to see which one is the best operating system in the market. There are so many resemblances
Everyone in this world has experienced an ethical dilemma in different situations and this may arise between one or more individuals. Ethical dilemma is a situation where people have to make complex decisions and are influenced based on personal interest, social environment or norms, and religious beliefs (“Strategic Leadership”, n.d.). The leaders and managers in the company should set guidelines to ensure employees are aware and have a better chance to solve and make ethical decisions. Employees are also responsible in understanding their ethical obligations in order to maintain a positive work environment. The purpose of this case study is to identify the dilemma and analyze different decisions to find ways on how a person should act