View source for Open Source Tool Design

Open Source Tool Design follows in the footsteps of the Free Software Movement. The Free Software Movement introduced widespread familiarity with collaborative design principles and on-line open-source libraries. Following that example, the Open Source Hardware movement is assembling libraries of open source microcomputer chip designs. Given the difficulty and expense of design and fabrication of today's extremely complex chips, however, the Open Source Hardware movement accepts the use of certain proprietary, closed-source, elements as part of the open-source approach.

In the same way, open-source design of a wider range of tools would involve assembling libraries of open-source tool designs. Much of this design could be based on elements that have fallen into the public domain. However, as shown by Open Source Hardware, it would also be possible to incorporate certain proprietary elements into the otherwise open-source designs, thereby permitting open-source designs even for high-tech products.

The development of Open Source Tool Design requires federation of the Open Tool Community around one or several relevant websites. A number of existing websites concerned with Open Design are listed in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_design Wikipedia article on Open Design], but this embryonic community appears fragmented.

The feasibility of Open Source Tool Design could be illustrated by a pilot project in a specific domain where implementation might be easier than in certain high-tech domains. One idea for a pilot project is the [[Open Furniture Project]].

[[Category:Open Design Concepts]]