Open Source Book

ToshiroOC · Feb 10, 2003, 12:29 AM

There is a huge amount of material about open source on the Internet. There are also many technical books which give you all the information you need to know about various open source applications. However there are no books which bring the case for open source together into a compelling and easy to read exposition. Such a book is needed to communicate with the decision makers - such as politicians, heads of departments, CIO's and CEO's. The Open Source Book Project intends to take the expertise of the open source community to write a book putting the case for open source, and explaining how to manage the migration to open source.

The project will be developing the book using open source tools such as LaTex and CVS. LaTex allows authors to concentrate on the content of the book, rather than the typesetting. Authors can use basic text editors for the book, rather than complex word processors. However, more complex word processors are available for LaTex.

CVS - or Concurrent Version System - is designed to control different versions of the same document. This is typically used by software developers for their source code. However, CVS is also good for allowing collaboration between several authors writing a book.

The book will not be a specifically New Zealand book, however since the authors are primarily New Zealanders it will probably contain prodominantly New Zealand flavour. Since this is just starting it might me that we also invite overseas authors onboard to help with the project.

The book will be aimed at Information System Professionals and decision makers in large organisations that are looking for solid reasons to implement open source, and methods of managing the migration from closed systems to open source systems.

Proceeds from Royalties of the book will be split between the authors, with a portion going to support the supply of the books to important people in various large businesses and government. The book will also be released under an open license, although this may be delayed until after publication (we havn't decided on all the details yet).

To participate in either authoring or reviewing the book you should join the projects mailing list at book-subscribe@nzoss.org.nz

--Source: New Zealand Open Source Society (NZOSS)

Article can be read here.

Feb 10, 2003, 12:29 AM	#1
ToshiroOC Unbiased. Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,812 Rep Power: 0	Open Source Book There is a huge amount of material about open source on the Internet. There are also many technical books which give you all the information you need to know about various open source applications. However there are no books which bring the case for open source together into a compelling and easy to read exposition. Such a book is needed to communicate with the decision makers - such as politicians, heads of departments, CIO's and CEO's. The Open Source Book Project intends to take the expertise of the open source community to write a book putting the case for open source, and explaining how to manage the migration to open source. The project will be developing the book using open source tools such as LaTex and CVS. LaTex allows authors to concentrate on the content of the book, rather than the typesetting. Authors can use basic text editors for the book, rather than complex word processors. However, more complex word processors are available for LaTex. CVS - or Concurrent Version System - is designed to control different versions of the same document. This is typically used by software developers for their source code. However, CVS is also good for allowing collaboration between several authors writing a book. The book will not be a specifically New Zealand book, however since the authors are primarily New Zealanders it will probably contain prodominantly New Zealand flavour. Since this is just starting it might me that we also invite overseas authors onboard to help with the project. The book will be aimed at Information System Professionals and decision makers in large organisations that are looking for solid reasons to implement open source, and methods of managing the migration from closed systems to open source systems. Proceeds from Royalties of the book will be split between the authors, with a portion going to support the supply of the books to important people in various large businesses and government. The book will also be released under an open license, although this may be delayed until after publication (we havn't decided on all the details yet). To participate in either authoring or reviewing the book you should join the projects mailing list at book-subscribe@nzoss.org.nz --Source: New Zealand Open Source Society (NZOSS) Article can be read here.