1 / 8

Ph.D. research: Method diffusion in large open-source projects

Ph.D. research: Method diffusion in large open-source projects. Martin F. Krafft – 23 Nov 2007. Research report. One slide on the Debian project. oldest GNU/Linux distribution: 14 years among the largest OSS projects: 1,100 developers + 2,500 contributors 22,000 packages, 11 architectures

cheung
Download Presentation

Ph.D. research: Method diffusion in large open-source projects

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Ph.D. research: Method diffusion in large open-source projects Martin F. Krafft – 23 Nov 2007 Research report

  2. One slide on the Debian project • oldest GNU/Linux distribution: 14 years • among the largest OSS projects: • 1,100 developers + 2,500 contributors • 22,000 packages, 11 architectures • conservative & quality-oriented: prefer solid solutions to quick 'n' dirty ones • robust, secure, stable, Free • 100% volunteers, flat, meritocratic

  3. Definitions Method diffusion inlarge open-source projects • method: technique, tool, procedure • diffusion: introducing with the goal to cause adoption • large project: possessing a high inertia and complex self-dynamics

  4. Research basis • Debian's methods evolved over time • high interdependence of methods • stagnating efficiency in day-to-day activity • improved methods exist, but volunteers cannot be told to use them • under what conditions do volunteers adopt new methods (and thus change their workflow)?

  5. Approach • Grounded theory: collection of factors affecting adoption (semi-structured interviews, forums, literature)‏ • Community survey to sort/augment factors • Design of an initial framework • Delphi study to improve framework • Application and verification

  6. Contribution • A framework to assess diffusions in Debian • (no suitable framework seems to exists)‏ • maybe suitable to other FLOSS projectsif not, then can be used to compare projects • Improved workflows in Debian • Possible new insights into volunteer management

  7. Current status • Gained good understanding of qualitative research and relevant aspects of sociology • Complete thesis outline • Literature review is about 50% done • Six talks at Debian/OSS conferences • Conducted seven informal interviews • Master to Ph.D. transfer later today

  8. Thank you / Further information • research webpage:http://phd.martin-krafft.net • Debian work:http://people.debian.org/~madduck • Debian book:http://debiansystem.info • mailto:phd@martin-krafft.netmailto:martin.krafft@lero.ie

More Related