Re: [Fsfe-uk] Compiling history of free software in the UK

[Mark Preston]

Hi David,
I suppose there must be some central repositories, but free software has 
always struck me as being fairly disparate in terms of overall 
organization. If there is a central repository then something like 
sorceforge may fit the bill, but that is global rather than UK. I would 
recommend reading "Rebel Code" by Glynn Moody and "The Cathedral and the 
Bazaar" by Eric S. Raymond.

Ian Lynch, who is on this list, might be a good person to talk to about 
the use, or lack of use, of free software in higher education in the UK. 
He posted this reference  about Australian schools
http://www.educationau.edu.au/papers/open_source.pdf

FWIW I tried to do a potted history of software examining the reasons 
for the prevalence of "closed source" software, and the prospects for 
FLOSS -see http://www.gnusense.uklinux.net/2.html If you think there are 
glaring omissions please let me know.

Jason Clifford produced Definite Linux in the past and currently runs 
ukfsn.org so if anybody knows of a central free software repository I 
suppose he should.
www.hands.com is a good example of someone who earns what I presume is a 
good income dealing with and installing free software in this country.
Regards,
Mark Preston
P.S. are you any relation to the author of Minix?

David Tannenbaum wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I am a doctoral student in Economic & Social History, and am writing 
my dissertation on the history of free software.
>
> I am currently compiling a history of free software use and 
development in the UK, particularly in higher education, for a separate 
project. However, I can't seem to find any central repository that 
already exists, so I'm thinking that I might as well publish what I 
eventually compile somewhere on the web.
>
> Could folks suggest events or areas of interest that I should 
include? I am particularly interested in free software use and 
development in higher education, but would like to include everything 
that's important.
>
> Many thanks,
> David