Open-source hardware takes baby steps toward the gadget mainstream

“Open-source software is one of the great success stories of the
past few decades. The Apache HTTP Server is the world’s most
popular Web server, Linux has more than held its own against Unix
and other proprietary operating systems, and Mozilla’s Firefox
browser has given Microsoft’s Internet Explorer strong competition
over the years.

“Could the same philosophy — the free and public
dissemination of underlying code and specs, with multiple
developers from disparate sources contributing to the design
— work for tech gadgets as well? Will we one day commonly use
smartphones, netbooks or other gadgets that have been developed
under an open-source model, maybe even preferring them over
proprietary products like the iPhone?

“After all, it’s possible today to design a device —
including its electrical and mechanical architecture — on a
personal computer with CAD and schematic design software, order
nearly all the components needed for it online, and then process
the manufacturing of a prototype through a low-cost supplier. So
the idea of organizing an open-source project online to build a
device isn’t far-fetched, nor is it one that requires millions in
start-up funding.”

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