U.S. Defense Department Promotes Open Source
An open memo from the U.S. DoD declares that open source software is no worse than traditional software, perhaps even useful.
The DoD needs to take faster steps at increased care and maintenance of its software infrastructure, where open source provides a marked advantage, according to acting DoD chief information officer David M. Wennegren in his recent memo to defense entities. In it he asserts that knowledge gaps and misunderstanding have prevented effective use of open source in the DoD. His "Clarifying Guidance Regarding Open Source Software (OSS)" addresses joint chiefs of staff, the defense secretariat and other decision-makers in IT, acquisitions and related entities, and includes some enlightening material.
The memo recommends taking a good look at open source software to determine which market products can best address a stated task. Wennegren states his case with seven arguments for open source: its (1) broad peer review provides stability and reliability, (2) adaptability to changing conditions, (3) independence from single developer reliance, (4) unrestricted licensing, (5) cost growth mitigation, (6) shared maintenance opportunities and (7) rapid prototyping and experimentation opportunities.
Wennegren's memo goes on to dash some current misconceptions among DoD folks about open source. For example, he clarifies that "many open source licenses permit the user to modify OSS for internal use without being obligated to distribute source code to the public. However, if the user chooses to distribute the modified OSS outside the [DoD], then some OSS licenses (such as the GNU General Public License) do require distribution of the corresponding source code to the recipient of the software." In other words, if further developed open source code is to be used only internally (is classified), the source code need not be distributed externally.
The six-page document dates from October 16, 2009 and is available off the DoD FOSS webpage, which also includes the FAQ and a document from 2003 that Wennegren claims resulted in some misconceptions he wanted to resolve with the current memo. The older document likewise targeted OSS in the DoD, but focused almost entirely on compliance with policies instead of providing clarification.
Issue 261/2022
Buy this issue as a PDF
News
-
KaOS 2022.06 Now Available With KDE Plasma 5.25
The newest iteration of KaOS Linux not only adds the latest KDE Plasma desktop but sets LibreOffice as the default.
-
Manjaro 21.3.0 Is Now Available
Manjaro “Ruah” has been released and includes the latest Calamares installer, GNOME 42, and much more.
-
SpiralLinux is a New Linux Distribution Focused on Simplicity
A new Linux distribution, from the creator of GeckoLinux, is a Debian-based operating system with a focus on simplicity and ease of use.
-
HP Dev One Linux Laptop is Now Available for Pre-Order
The System76/HP collaboration Dev One laptop, geared toward developers, is now available for pre-order.
-
NixOS 22.5 Is Now Available
The latest release of NixOS with a much-improved package manager and a user-friendly graphical installer.
-
System76 Teams up with HP to Create the Dev One Laptop
HP and System76 have come together to develop a new laptop, powered by Pop!_OS and aimed toward developers.
-
Titan Linux is a New KDE Linux Based on Debian Stable
Titan Linux is a new Debian-based Linux distribution that features the KDE Plasma desktop with a focus on usability and performance.
-
Danielle Foré Has an Update for elementary OS 7
Now that Ubuntu 22.04 has been released, the team behind elementary OS is preparing for the upcoming 7.0 release.
-
Linux New Media Launches Open Source JobHub
New job website focuses on connecting technical and non-technical professionals with organizations in open source.
-
Ubuntu Cinnamon 22.04 Now Available
Ubuntu Cinnamon 22.04 has been released with all the additions from upstream as well as other features and improvements.