Open Source Software: A Debate
(Room S320GH)
28 Nov 17
2:00 PM
-
3:30 PM
Speaker(s):
Sae Schatz, Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative; Mike van Lent, CEO and President, Soar Technology, Inc.; Jeffrey Raver, Vice President and Director of Education and Training Services, SAIC; Laura Gerhardt, Innovation Specialist, Technology Transformation Service Office of Acquisitions, U.S. General Services Administration; David Herschel, Director, Program and Budget, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Readiness), Readiness Programming and Resources
Open-source software* is growing at a profound rate. The most recent Open Source 360° Survey found that nearly 60% of businesses use it, and open-source code makes up 80–90% of most software applications developed.
On the positive side, open-source frees organizations from the costs of licensed software and helps prevent “vendor-lock.” Healthy open-source communities also ensure software is continuously updated, and organizations using open software can initiate their own, personal modifications as needed. Despite these benefits, open source remains controversial. Is this model sustainable? How cyber-secure is open source? Should military and government encourage, tolerate, or limit their use of open-source?
This exciting special event uses a debate format to explore the utility, sustainability, security, and role of open-source software, and its cousin open content (e.g., shared instructional materials), within military and government contexts. Two teams will argue for or against open source, providing a unique exploration of this important topic.
*“Open-source software” is developed in the open, with the source code available for anyone to inspect, modify, and use. This is in contrast to “proprietary” or “closed source” software, which is legally owned, maintained, and sold by an individual or corporation.