Open source communities

What then links together the disparate activities of the previous page? What are the defining characteristics of an open source initiative or community? Academics such as Steven Weber (2004) and thinkers such as Charles Leadbetter and Hilary Cottam have pinpointed a series of attributes that link together open initiatives.

A cornerstone

Open source communities have to have something to revolve around – whether it is an original computer code or a set of policy options in a deliberative democracy exercise. A sponsoring organisation needs to kick start discussion and action by providing an initial starting point.

Recognition

The attraction of open source initiatives is that people learn and gain self-actualisation through being part of the community, with many feeling a sense of recognition through their involvement – contributors to OhMyNews or You Tube (a site for amateur videos) do not get paid for their work, but gain a sense of reward from seeing their efforts made public.

Open evaluation

Contributions to a co-creative community tend to be judged by peers, rather than the sponsoring organisation. Witness how eBay sellers are rated by others, rather than Ebay's management or owners; the same applies to Amazon's 'reader ratings'.

From below

Change in an open source initiative comes from 'below' not 'above'. Indeed, the power of open source communities is that innovation comes from the energy and spark of people – whether they are users of a service or engaged observers.

Evolving

Successful co-creative communities evolve and adapt. Wikipedia has prospered as users continually update and post new entries; gaining ongoing feedback from readers and other creators.

Blurred ownership

As Leadbetter and Cottam note, “the founders never completely own the community.” Who owns Wikipedia: the five employees who work there, or the countless contributors?
 

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