After the open source software movement in the IT sector, the new wave is that of open source hardware, wherein the information about the hardware can easily be discerned and it can be further customised.
Beth E Kolko, head, Design for Digital Inclusion Lab, University of Washington, who is in Kerala to promote the movement, said that though at a nascent stage the Open Source hardware movement could go a long way by opening up the space for innovation and could impact the lives of millions.
“The students who have limited or zero knowledge in engineering or other technical areas can also be part of this.
“We are encouraging the young minds to be innovative and come up with products that could be useful for the society at large,’’ Beth Kolko told Express.
Kolko, who is also the founder of Hackademia, a project that draws from the ethos and mindset of hacker and maker communities, also conducted a two-day workshop on Open Source hardware called ‘Building Things That Think’ at Technopark here, organised by International Centre for Free and Open Source Software (ICFOSS), which received a good response from the participants.
Kolko said that innovations based on FOSS approach could also give options for the end user to make choices and the cost factor would also benefit them.
“From the developers’ point of view, once the prototype is developed, it can be worked further to yield the best results. Such innovation may open new opportunities for start-ups, which can provide commercial services based on these concepts,’’ said Kolko, who along with five members launched a start-up on open-source hardware seven months back. Satish Babu, director, ICFOSS said, that the Open Source hardware could also contribute to Green Computing as Open Source hardware uses readily-available components and materials which can be reusable.
“Open source hardware gives people the freedom to control their technology while sharing knowledge and encouraging commerce through open exchange of designs. The hardware’s source, the design from which it is made, is available in the preferred format for making modifications to it,’’ he said.
http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article1477691.eceNow, it’s the turn of Open Source hardware movement
After the open source software movement in the IT sector, the new wave is that of open source hardware, wherein the information about the hardware can easily be discerned and it can be further customised.
Beth E Kolko, head, Design for Digital Inclusion Lab, University of Washington, who is in Kerala to promote the movement, said that though at a nascent stage the Open Source hardware movement could go a long way by opening up the space for innovation and could impact the lives of millions.
“The students who have limited or zero knowledge in engineering or other technical areas can also be part of this.
“We are encouraging the young minds to be innovative and come up with products that could be useful for the society at large,’’ Beth Kolko told Express.
Kolko, who is also the founder of Hackademia, a project that draws from the ethos and mindset of hacker and maker communities, also conducted a two-day workshop on Open Source hardware called ‘Building Things That Think’ at Technopark here, organised by International Centre for Free and Open Source Software (ICFOSS), which received a good response from the participants.
Kolko said that innovations based on FOSS approach could also give options for the end user to make choices and the cost factor would also benefit them.
“From the developers’ point of view, once the prototype is developed, it can be worked further to yield the best results. Such innovation may open new opportunities for start-ups, which can provide commercial services based on these concepts,’’ said Kolko, who along with five members launched a start-up on open-source hardware seven months back. Satish Babu, director, ICFOSS said, that the Open Source hardware could also contribute to Green Computing as Open Source hardware uses readily-available components and materials which can be reusable.
“Open source hardware gives people the freedom to control their technology while sharing knowledge and encouraging commerce through open exchange of designs. The hardware’s source, the design from which it is made, is available in the preferred format for making modifications to it,’’ he said.
http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article1477691.ece