Why Does Open Source Matter? Takeaways from GUADEC 2023
Photo: GNOME
Open source software, which makes program source code freely available, removes barriers for users to modify, use, and build on different projects, promoting a free exchange of ideas in support of growing technological, scientific, and creative advancements. GNOME, an open-source desktop environment, is an important part of the Free Software ecosystem, harnessing free projects to create high quality solutions that span the entire software stack. They believe that software should be developed in the open; their infrastructure and communication channels are public, and our code can be freely downloaded, modified, and shared with others. Everyone has the same rights. You can read more about what Free and Open Source Software actually is in this post.
GUADEC (the GNOME Users And Developers European Conference) is the GNOME community’s largest conference, bringing together hundreds of users, contributors, community members, and enthusiastic supporters for a week of talks and workshops around free open source software. From accessibility to community building to general open source innovations, the conference covered a diverse variety of topics, all of which you can watch here.
This year’s GUADEC conference brought together a diverse group of open-source experts, who discussed the new innovative programs, technology and ideas that are paving the way in open source, accessibility, and feasibility.
Here are a few key takeaways about why open source matters:
1. Open source and offline-first applications help reach underserved populations
In the talk “Reaching new users with GNOME,” Rob McQueen, CEO at the Endless OS Foundation (EOSF) and president of the GNOME Foundation describes how partnerships that leverage open source applications can reach new populations. For example, EOSF and World Possible have partnered to put offline-first computers into correctional facilities in the US, allowing thousands of incarcerated children to learn to code, access their homework, and play games - without having to install broadband. The applications don’t require an internet connection and allow users to learn 21st Century skills. As Rob describes, “having something that works without internet opens up new audiences and has the opportunity to change lives.”
2. Open source fosters student growth and collaboration
Hrittik Roy, a student, describes how establishing a culture that promotes success within student communities and leverages diversity can be difficult in his presentation “Building Student Communities to Foster OSS.” Open source projects that contain a “common struggle” support student-led communities that foster growth and inclusivity. The nature of open source communities offer students platforms to collaborate, learn, and contribute to real-world projects, while fostering motivation, skill expansion with a focus on mentorship and long-term growth. In his own experience, Roy describes how he observed contributors starting to help other students and take on “leadership positions so that they can help other students and they can drive initiatives.”
3. Open source supports global collaboration and partnerships
There is a steady growth of open source contributions from Africa, despite a myriad of challenges including infrastructure,and a lack of diversity in the space, says Regina Nkemchor in her talk “A Discourse on a Minority Group: GNOME Africa Community.” But she also sees a lot of potential growth from collaborating on global projects: more community members would be invested in the work, and they could reflect on how well the schools are preparing people with these skills. It would also open up new avenues for fundraising and supporting GNOME projects in Africa, pushing forward new projects specific to that space. “Collaboration within communities,” she believes, “helps for better adoption of strategies or processes, and we could basically learn from each other, see the differences that we have and use these differences to grow the GNOME project globally.”
Overall, GUADEC 2023 created a dynamic platform for open-source enthusiasts to come together to emphasize the transformative power of access, cross-community collaboration, and global community building. The conference reinforced that open source is not just a technological paradigm, but a catalyst for positive change, global cooperation, and inclusive innovation.