Disqus
We have created a consumer device, the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet, utilizing open source software. Our experiences demonstrate that open source technologies and development model suit very well such devices. We created the product in shorter time and with fewer resources, compared to other products utilizing proprietary software. In essence, open source offers time and cost savings in a form of readily available components and subsystems, available developers, and effective development model.Open source doesn’t solve all the problems, though. As a device manufacturer, we alone are responsible for the quality of the end product. We must therefore utilize all quality and software engineering mechanisms to achieve the needed quality. One cannot skip specification, integration, testing, and documentation, for example. In addition, open source introduces certain new requirements, such as community interaction and legal and IPR management.
Open source doesn’t make software development free or easy. It provides effective tools for product creation. Combining these new tools, such as community involvement, and utilization of open components, with more traditional software and product engineering practices is a good mix.
Source: Linux Devices
You definitely want to check out this essay out if you’re into the open source movement. I dual boot Windows XP and Ubuntu, have been for about 2 years now, and frankly I am amazed at the progress Linux on the desktop is taking. It isn’t quite up to snuff with Windows XP yet, but hopefully will be within a year at most.
About The Author
Stefan Constantinescu
Stefan Constantinescu (@WhatTheBit on Twitter) has loved technology since as far back as he can remember. It started with computers, but in the past few years his passion has turned to mobile devices. As a mobile phone enthusiast who lives and breathes devices that connect to the internet, he knows he is not alone with this radical fascination of all things wireless. He is strongly opinionated and enjoys a good debate so leave comments in his posts and he’ll get back to you! Stefan began blogging as a hobby in the fall of 2006 and joined IntoMobile in the summer of 2007. Later he got a job at Nokia in March 2008, but as of June 2009 he has rejoined the IntoMobile team. He is currently based out of Helsinki, Finland.
