Something Big Happened in 1998
12 hours ago
- #software-licensing
- #history
- #open-source
- 37signals launched a source-available product labeled as open source, defying OSI's Open Source Definition.
- A PR was opened inviting 37signals to join Fair Source, a non-compete, source-available licensing initiative.
- Debate arose over the history of the term 'open source,' with claims it was in wide circulation before OSI's founding.
- Analysis of books, magazines, and Usenet shows 'open source' usage exploded after OSI's founding in 1998.
- Frank Hecker's memo illustrates the shift in 'open source' usage pre- and post-OSI founding.
- The Open Source Initiative is credited with founding the Open Source movement via the Open Source Definition.
- The term 'open source' is not legally owned, allowing for free debate and interpretation.
- The article calls for constructive contributions to the future of open source and less focus on bad etymology.