Abstract
Free and Open Source Software (F/OSS)
development is a complex process that is just beginning
to be understood. The actual development process is
frequently characterized as disparate volunteer devel-
opers collaborating to create a piece of software. The
developers of F/OSS, like most software engineers, spend
a significant portion of their time fostering collaboration
through various channels social communication. We have
analyzed several methods of communication; a social
networking site, project mailing lists, and developer
weblogs; to gain an understanding of the social network
structure behind F/OSS projects. This social network
data was used to create a model of F/OSS development
that allows for multiple projects, users, and developers
with varying goals and socialization methods. Using this
model we have been able to replicate some of the known
phenomena observed in F/OSS and provide a first step
in the creation of a robust model of F/OSS.
Users
Please
log in to take part in the discussion (add own reviews or comments).