Re:To elaborate on why open-source hardware is hard
by pjmlp on Friday December 19, 2014 @07:40AM
(#8771971)
It only works in software because most don't pay a dime for what they use, except for the computer itself.
When money comes into the picture it always fails down as pure model.
This is also why most successful open source projects are coupled with SaaS, consulting, trainings, books, certifications, hardware. All areas where software is not the main product.
Re:To elaborate on why open-source hardware is hard
by pjc50 on Friday December 19, 2014 @08:41AM
(#8772148)
Hardware As A Service, maybe? Too much haasle :(
Re:To elaborate on why open-source hardware is hard
by cogburnd02 on Friday December 19, 2014 @09:39AM
(#8772365)
> You could have an open replacement for e.g. the 555
There is already a kit [1] for a 555-like circuit (I think Dave [2] says there's some reason it can't be used in place of an actual 555) made of discrete components.
But there's no indication that it's Open Hardware, though. :-(
[1] http://shop.evilmadscientist.com/productsmenu/tinykitlist/65... [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6qZPx4uD0g
Re:To elaborate on why open-source hardware is hard
by jpwright on Friday December 19, 2014 @07:05PM
(#8775282)
There's a really detailed description of that kit (including full schematic) here: http://shop.emscdn.com/KitInstrux/555/555_principles_revB3.p...
My answer from there: "The "freedom to redistribute copies" and "freedom to modify" aspects of Free software really don't translate well to hardware. There is work and cost associated with copying a board, and much more associated with copying an ASIC (modified or otherwise). It's simply not going to be within the reach of the average user in the forseeable future.
Another factor is rapid obsolescence. Some of the open UNIX software is thirty years old; GCC is about 25 years old. Open hardware will generally have a shorter time before it starts looking horribly obsolete. This is especially true of all the things that people really want to be open: processors, graphics hardware, wireless interfaces.
(You could have an open replacement for e.g. the 555 or LM741, which would be more timeless, but what would be the point? How would it differ materially from the current ones?)
There is certainly scope for "community" hardware development, but that depends on having a stable, sensible community that can agree what it wants and is willing to pay for. Again, requires a lot of work."