Expanded on information; include sub-sections
This commit is contained in:
parent
54218d58c8
commit
e706c6817e
@ -1,19 +1,57 @@
|
||||
# Why does open-source matter so much?
|
||||
|
||||
Open Source gives you freedom.
|
||||
You know everything about the TERES-I laptop.
|
||||
Proprietary, closed-source products:
|
||||
|
||||
- do not come with source code
|
||||
- provide no access to the board's design layout
|
||||
- do not allow users to easily add the functionality that they want
|
||||
- do not allow users to modify what they don't like
|
||||
- generally make it difficult (or impossible) to repair your own product
|
||||
|
||||
On the other hand, open-source projects provide:
|
||||
|
||||
## Transparency
|
||||
|
||||
Most complex hardware projects are closed-source (i.e. black box) and you may only indirectly infer how components are connected or how things operate in general.
|
||||
Open-source products transparency and freedom to know as much as possible about the products you and others enjoy.
|
||||
You are able to review and modify open-source software.
|
||||
You have full access to both the hardware and the software components and you are able to control every bit of your laptop.
|
||||
You don't even have to purchase anything to access these resources; you can use our work (or parts of it) as a basis for existing projects.
|
||||
|
||||
## Freedom To Modify
|
||||
|
||||
Open-source hardware allows you and others to tailor the PCBs according to user needs.
|
||||
For example, you are able to add more processors, memories, etc.
|
||||
|
||||
It also gives you independence and self-sufficiency.
|
||||
If a problem arises (any problem!), you have the freedom to fix it.
|
||||
|
||||
We provide the hardware design files and schematics for the TERES-I laptop.
|
||||
The hardware design is made with an open-source CAD tool called KiCad.
|
||||
|
||||
## Peace Of Mind
|
||||
|
||||
There is nothing hidden or "fine print" for you to worry about.
|
||||
No lawyers will chase after you for using this material for personal or commercial use.
|
||||
(Check the license for further information.)
|
||||
|
||||
## Ease Of Use
|
||||
|
||||
We provide the hardware design files and schematics.
|
||||
The hardware design is made with open CAD tool.
|
||||
Nothing is hidden.
|
||||
The sources for the Linux distribution and step-by-step compilation instructions are available and easily accessible.
|
||||
You have full access to both the hardware and the software parts and you are able to control every bit of your laptop.
|
||||
You don't even have to purchase anything to access these resources – you can use our work (or parts of it) as a basis for own projects already.
|
||||
Documentation can behave as living documents - aggregated reference materials to solve a veriety of uncertainties.
|
||||
|
||||
The educational value of such a product is high.
|
||||
Most complex hardware projects are closed and you can only indirectly guess how things are connected or how things are operating in general.
|
||||
## Education
|
||||
|
||||
There is great educational value of open-source products, inherent in the availability of materials to study.
|
||||
|
||||
## Support
|
||||
|
||||
You don't have to count only on the availability of the technical support.
|
||||
Don't like the way something works, have an idea for an improvement, or think the documentation sucks?
|
||||
You can improve it yourself or ask others to help!
|
||||
|
||||
## Longevity
|
||||
|
||||
Open source gives guarantee for longevity.
|
||||
It also gives you independence and self-sufficiency – if a problem appears you have the freedom to fix it.
|
||||
You don't have to count only on the availability of the technical support.
|
||||
Proprietary, closed-source products: do not come with source code; provide no access to the board's design layout; cannot easily add the functionality that you want; cannot modify what you don't like; no opportunity to repair your own product.
|
||||
Contributors may fork the project, make improvements, and merge those improvements back into the main project to benefit everyone.
|
||||
There is no concern that a company goes bankrupt and the products disappear.
|
||||
|
Loading…
Reference in New Issue
Block a user