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==Personal Reflections==
While I attended many presentations, I felt that many of the presentations had very similar opinions as to what open source is and what it meant to be part of the open source movement. I chose Mekki's presentation because it was different in terms of scope of the presentation material and the similarity between what he viewed as free software and open source compared to many of the other speakers I attended. The general view was that open source is an opportunity that provides the world with necessary products and competition that drives innovation and makes the world a better place. In many ways the view of open source is one of great admiration of the great things that can and will come from the many open source communities. The communities themselves may not function in the way we've normally done things, but the things they work on, the possibilities that can occur despite the differences in membership, race, age, etc. is unimaginable. The opportunities that occur from open source varies from being a viable business to making the impossible possible. That was the overall feel of open source I got when I listened to them. Their optimism regarding open source is one I share. Since taking the course, I've learned so much and many of the presentations offered in FSOSS served as a concrete example of the things I learned being made into reality. During the conference, I knew though, that this would be a slightly narrow perspective. After all, every one of the presenters were deep in open source development. They've all been through much of what is ugly and beautiful in open source communities.
The feeling I got from Bren Upton's presentation regarding Raspberry Pi wasn't radically different from the others, however there were definitely several differences in attitude. I would like to point out that Bren's view and approach to open source, seems to me, like the proper way a business should view open source. For instance taking a look at Microsoft (who incidentally does actually provide code to open source projects) and the recent charge against them regarding UEFI locking the ability to load linux operating systems. If it were true (I don't really think that is an issue, I have an UEFI enabled motherboard and I can still install a linux distro just fine) this would definitely be the wrong way. Based on the explanations Bren has given throughout the presentation it was clear that he, like all the other presenters I attended, saw the opportunity that lay within the open source communities. The difference between the Raspberry Pi Foundation and Microsoft was that he fully embraced the community. He knew how to take hold of the opportunity and get it to help make his ambitions come true. I recall, and I have to paraphrase because I don't have his presentation on hand, that he mentioned how it would not have been possible to ship Raspberry Pi with as much software support, interest, and hype were it not for the enthusiasm and contributions from the numerous open source communities that were able to get an early board for testing.
Just before FSOSS, my view on open source was like my experience with linux early on in my life. A lot of people will say great things about it, but when you really get down to it, it's so hard to get started that it makes you want to give up. Of course, if you keep trying, you'll get to a position where the work you do becomes really rewarding and that feeling drives you to continue. However, this view is actually very narrow-minded. There's more to open source than just this, and the presentations at FSOSS showed me that.
Open source is an opportunity. Just like other opportunities in real life, it's easy to ignore them and not reap its benefits. Unlike other opportunities though, it will never leave you behind. To the would-be contributor you are given the opportunity to expand your knowledge and create something that can help millions of people across the world. Of course there's also the added benefit of creating production quality code to wow your potential employers. To the public, open source serves as competition and alternatives to businesses and help drive innovation which can lead to newer and cooler technologies and applications. To the business official, open source provides the opportunity to advertise, gain good will, and help grow and mature the functionality of your products. There are opportunities for everyone in open source. All it takes is an individual, an idea, and the initiative.
==Conclusion==
Three months ago, I was one of the ignorant masses. I thought open source was cool, free software don't have to pay a dime. However, I didn't think it was possible to be really profitable with open source technology. I didn't really understand what open source really was and what it offered. Today, my view has been flipped almost 180 degrees. I feel that you can't start a technology related business and afford to ignore or even antagonize the open source movement. Not because open source is free and thus a potential competitor for customers, but the fact that ignoring it will most assuredly make you irrelevant. Before FSOSS I learned how to take part in open source development, I learned about a few of the new and exciting technologies that are being opened using open source technology. During FSOSS I learned how a business can operate using open source as a business model, how a business can get along with the open source community to drive and enhance a product, and most of all, I gained a little more understanding about what makes open source so great.
After FSOSS, we had a report due for a course that required us to create a business plan for a company that uses open source software. I remember hearing the bewilderment of a classmate who said "How did you get those figures? We're doing open source software, it's free. You can't make money!" It was then I smiled to myself, knowing full well that three months ago, I was like him. I can't express how much FSOSS and this course expanded my understanding of the computer industry. The technology and opportunities that are available through open source... unbelievable.