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Open {Source} {Paradigm}: {A} {Synopsis} of {The} {Cathedral} and the {Bazaar} for {Health} and {Social} {Care}

Submitted by karopka on Sun, 2016/12/11 - 20:05
TitleOpen {Source} {Paradigm}: {A} {Synopsis} of {The} {Cathedral} and the {Bazaar} for {Health} and {Social} {Care}
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsBenson, T
JournalJournal of Innovation in Health Informatics
Volume23
Pagination488–492
ISSN2058-4563
KeywordsDelivery of Health Care., Medical Informatics, Open Access to Information, Software
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Open source software (OSS) is becoming more fashionable in health and social care, although the ideas are not new. However progress has been slower than many had expected. OBJECTIVE: The purpose is to summarise the Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) paradigm in terms of what it is, how it impacts users and software engineers and how it can work as a business model in health and social care sectors. METHOD: Much of this paper is a synopsis of Eric Raymond's seminal book The Cathedral and the Bazaar, which was the first comprehensive description of the open source ecosystem, set out in three long essays. Direct quotes from the book are used liberally, without reference to specific passages. The first part contrasts open and closed source approaches to software development and support. The second part describes the culture and practices of the open source movement. The third part considers business models. CONCLUSION: A key benefit of open source is that users can access and collaborate on improving the software if they wish. Closed source code may be regarded as a strategic business risk that that may be unacceptable if there is an open source alternative. The sharing culture of the open source movement fits well with that of health and social care.

PubMed ID27869578
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