The Innovate journal is preparing a special issue on open-source software (OSS) and are calling for article submissions.
"Cost reductions and commoditization have figured largely in technology adoption. The PC revolution gained momentum when original equipment manufacturers began offering inexpensive hardware. Toll-free access and reasonable service provider fees prompted the rise of the Internet, and free browsers and access to an almost infinite number of sites have fueled the expansion of the World Wide Web.
"Comprehensive, Web-based administrative/instructional software is on the same path. Expensive proprietary programs, available only to licensed users and limited in their functions, once were the only option. Now, a significant number of educational institutions have developed, independently or through institutional collaborations, open-source software that promises to transform the market. The result is a global open-source cooperative dedicated to sharing OSS with others and encouraging customized applications.
"The “Open” movement that promotes open source software and an open architecture, based on open standards is catalyzing a reconsideration of the rules for software development and distribution.
"We seek manuscripts that cover the following topics: (1) developments in open-source programs around the world, (2) challenges related to the development, deployment, and adoption of open source programs, including how specific software is being used, (3) the advantages and disadvantages of open source and proprietary systems, and (5) the future of the OSS movement. We expect authors to take full advantage of Innovate’s multimedia capacity; supplementary files that illuminate the text are welcome, and we are especially interested in the possibility of hosting “Try it!” sites that would offer readers hands-on experience with particular OSS features.
"If you would like to submit a manuscript on this topic, please review our submission guidelines and send your manuscript to the guest editor of this issue, Vijay Kumar (vkumar@MIT.EDU ), and to the editor-in-chief, James Morrison (jlm@nova.edu ) no later than March 30, 2006.
