Open Source: The Unauthorized White Papers [Paperback]

Donald K. Rosenberg (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764546600 | ISBN-13: 978-0764546600 | Publication Date: January 15, 2000 | Edition: 1

These days everyone is talking about Linux. But does Linux and other Open Source software really make good business sense? What are the opportunities -- and risks? This book provides the answers. Written by Donald K. Rosenberg, a respected Open Source authority, it provides a clear, objective analysis of all the critical business issues, from reliability and licensing concerns to opportunities and challenges down the road.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The most comprehensive look at the business phenomenon driving Open Source software development ever published." -- Bob Young, Cofounder, Red Hat, Inc.

"This book should be required reading for those who are considering migrating to an Open Source environment" -- Nicholas Peterley, Evangelist, Caldera Systems, Inc.

From the Publisher

Here is a book that provides a current overview with great attention to contrasting and comparing Open Source options. Rosenberg examines the different types of Open Source licensing, how to make money with Open Source, where and how to market to the Open Source community, and benefits of Open Source software. The investigative reporting feel allows for a frank discussion of the pitfalls as well as the wonders of Open Source development.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 374 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (January 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764546600
• ISBN-13: 978-0764546600
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,554,559 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete and Professional, October 23, 2000

By 

Michael Czeiszperger (Chapel Hill, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Open Source: The Unauthorized White Papers (Paperback)

Open Source: The Unathorized White Papers is a real contrast to the other more well known book I've read on the subject, The Cathedral and the Bazaar. While Cathedral and Bazaar reads like a series of unorganized USENET posts and random musings, Open Source is very well organized, and professionally written and edited. It contains up to date and accurate information about a range of topics relating to open source, including history, examples of businesses, and licensing. 

The book's coverage of licensing is easily the most complete source for understanding a very complex subject. There are so many misconceptions of what licensing means in terms of software that the book is a must read if you either run a software company or are considering investing in one.

The only issue I have with the book is its description of the Java programming language as not having "a community". Being on the board of directors for the local Java User's Group I naturally take issue with that characterization, but for the sake of brevity, as well as sticking to the topic at hand, I will refrain from bringing out the voluminous amount of evidence to the contrary. :-)

For disclosure, I must admit to having met Mr. Rosenberg in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina. This isn't hard to do, considering he attends meetings of nearly every technical group I can think of, and is an expert on "people" networking.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good starting point on Open Source., April 30, 2001

By 

W. Roth (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Open Source: The Unauthorized White Papers (Paperback)

This book is a compilation of essays on open source from the author. He covers the origins and history, as well as a responsible coverage of the licensing models. While there is an over emphasis of Linux, it does talk about various business models that can be used in the open source context. It also includes the text of some of the major open source licenses.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Insider Home Run, March 19, 2001

By 

John Ravella (San Carlos, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Open Source: The Unauthorized White Papers (Paperback)

Sometimes a home run is little more than a hit causing an increment tick to a stat, but once in a while it's a powerful work of art that changes the game--Donald Rosenberg's book is the latter. It is, by far, the best book on Open Source written to date.

As someone involved with open source strategies at a large corporation in the computer industry, I found Donald's book to be objective, insightful, and current which reflects an intimate knowledge of someone on the inside.

The level-headedness of this book makes it an essential read for anyone trying to understand the counter-intuitive nature of open source or protect themselves from the FUD, emotions, and convoluted conversations that plague Open Source.