Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Approaches to studying Free Software: in-class assignment

Methods Assignment

Each pair of students will be assigned one of the four methods discussed in class to apply to research on the Free Software Movement. You don’t have to actually conduct the research but please write a brief proposal that describes how you would approach the topic using your assigned method. We'll work on this in class today and Monday. Please post your proposal on the blog when you are finished.

Your proposal should include the following:

I. A research question that reflects the method that is being used.
II. A description of what your research will entail. Be as specific as possible given the time constraints. (What sites will you analyze, who will you talk to, what laws, court cases, policies will you look into, how will you observe/participate in the movement?)
III. The advantages and disadvantages of your particular method in terms of what you will know once your research is carried out.

Some information to get you started

Free Software Foundation

Why Open Source Misses the Point

Philosophy of the GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)

Salon | The free software story


Salon | 21st: Apache's free-software warriors

Free software movement - Wikipedia


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