Open World Forum presents open source roadmap until 2020

The Open World Forum's FLOSS Observatory has presented a roadmap for open source for the coming twelve years. After outlining the status quo in the area of free software, the "manifesto" – compiled during the OWF conference about free software held in Paris on 1st and 2nd December – explores various trends and factors the authors consider influential between now and 2020. The document also highlights the key areas that will be impacted by open source concepts in the coming years.

Among the trendsetting technologies and procedures listed in the study are cloud computing, green IT, virtual organisations and social networking, as well as ambient computing (internet-enabled consumer devices and appliances) and mobile robots. According to the manifesto, both open source and cloud computing have firmly established themselves. The authors say free software also helps to reduce the global "digital divide". Companies consider open source a strategic tool for "Enterprise IT 3.0", in which open standards and open platforms play an increasingly important role.

The manifesto investigates seven key areas in greater detail. These include public policies, innovation and competitive differentiation, sustainability for developer communities and business ecosystems, and the technological and economic challenges and opportunities for free software. The authors present recommendations for each of the areas. In the area of public policies, for example, they explicitly disapprove of software patents.

See also:

• Download the manifesto – note that the document is a 78-page, 3.3MB PDF and the site requests a name and email address before offering the download.

(lghp)