5. Open Source

Episode description

There is tension between the digital and the physical development spaces. As the world becomes more digital, the distance between software and hardware widens. Only a few people are attempting to bridge the gap. Unspoken competition, gatekeeping, differences in perspective — these reasons and more push experts from the software and hardware spaces apart. But open source is the key to furthering collaboration and innovation in technology development.

In this episode of Traceroute, we look deeper into the digital space and how it intrinsically connects to physical hardware. Joining us today are open-source advocates Jon Masters and Brian Fox. They share with us their insights on hardware and software proprietary rights. They also provide context on open-source technology and how vital open source is for innovation and increasing opportunities.  

If you are someone looking to explore open source technology, then this episode of the Traceroute podcast might be perfect for you!

• The utilities we use daily — like water and electric appliances — are built to meet exacting standards to ensure user-friendliness. 
• Similarly, tech companies build digital infrastructures that most computer users can easily utilize.

Jon Masters: “We build very boring, elaborate standards so that the average user, if they don't want to, doesn't have to understand every layer of what's going on.”

• Many people in the tech space tend to focus on either the physical or digital aspects of technology. 
• Not being able to grasp the hardware that supports software can be a lost opportunity.
• Knowing the hardware that goes with your software and how they intertwine can bring many opportunities.
• The software industry, especially the internet, requires a durable physical backbone. Likewise, hardware can only evolve with new software developments.
• The reawakening to hardware development mirrors the early stages of the open-source software space.

Jon Masters: “If you look at where the industry is going right now, hardware and software, they were always important counterparts to one another.”

• Software is a symbolic way of writing ideas. Similar to the English language, it employs semantics to express the developer’s collection of ideas. 
• Software technology aims to develop a space that allows computers to perform several tasks simultaneously. 
• To achieve a higher level of computing platform, computer processors would have to undergo time slicing. 
• An operating system manages the software that runs on a computer, as well as access to hardware devices. Essentially, it serves as the interface between humans and hardware. 

• Back in the day, students and academics wrote numerous codes. They shared these codes in an effort to further the science. 
• However, the rise of proprietary software ended the open collaboration system of the early days. 
• Not everyone was onboard with...