Abstract

This article explores the ramifications of deploying free and open source software (F/OSS) for technical communication program development. Against the backdrop of the recession, the article draws on empirical research to examine how different stakeholders understand the F in F/OSS, its relationship with proprietary software, and the institutional contexts surrounding these technologies. It contributes four recommendations for working with F/OSS that might help programs shore up in tough times and thrive postdownturn.

Journal
Technical Communication Quarterly
Published
2013-10-01
DOI
10.1080/10572252.2013.794090
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication

References (28) · 2 in this index

  1. Free: The future of a radical price
  2. Metaphor and knowledge: The challenges of writing science
  3. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. The consumer society: Myths & structures
  5. 10.1177/0002716206298483
Show all 28 →
  1. Illuminations: Walter Benjamin—Essays and reflections
  2. Distinction: A social critique of the judgment of taste
  3. The sociology of consumption
  4. Intercom
  5. Intercom
  6. Dey , A. K. & Abowd , G. D. ( 2000 ). Towards a better understanding of context and context-awareness.Proceed…
  7. Free Software Foundation . ( 2010 ).GNU Operating System: What is free software?Retrieved from http://www.gnu…
  8. Free Software Foundation . ( 2011 ).GNU Operating System: Categories of free and nonfree software.Retrieved f…
  9. Gnome Project, The. ( 2011 ). Dia.live.gnome.org.Retrieved from https://live.gnome.org/Dia
  10. Hackers: Heroes of the computer revolution
  11. 10.1177/1469540507085725
  12. Open Source Initiative. (n.d.).The open source definition.Retrieved from http://opensource.org/docs/osd
  13. The New Yorker
  14. 10.2307/358914
  15. Red Hat . ( 2011 ).POSSE: Professors’ open source summer experience.Retrieved from http://www.redhat.com/posse
  16. Cheap: The high cost of discount culture
  17. Stallman , R. ( 2011 ).GNU Operating System: Why open source misses the point of free software.Retrieved from…
  18. Stutz , M. ( 1998 , March 17 ). A thrifty Photoshop built for the Web.Wired. Retrieved from http://www.wired.…
  19. The theory of the leisure class
  20. Technical Communication
  21. Wilmath , K. ( March 7, 2012 ). Judy Genshaft declares success despite USF-Poly split moving forward.Tampa Ba…
  22. Technical Communication
  23. Technical Communication Quarterly