XBRL: an (open) source of enlightenment or disillusion?

Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) is being adopted byEuropean regulators as a data standard for the exchange of business information. Thispaper examines the approach of XBRL International (XII) to the meta-data standard’sdevelopment and diffusion. We theorise the development of XBRL using conceptsdrawn from a model of successful open source projects. Comparison of the open sourcemodel to XBRL enables us to identify a number of interesting similarities anddifferences. In common with open source projects, the benefits and progress of XBRLhave been overstated and ‘hyped’ by enthusiastic participants. While XBRL is an opendata standard in terms of access to the equivalent of its ‘source code’ we find that thegovernance structure of the XBRL consortium is significantly different to a model opensource approach. The barrier to participation that is created by requiring paidmembership and a focus on transacting business at physical conferences and meetingsis identified as particularly critical. Decisions about the technical structure of XBRL,the regulator-led pattern of adoption and the organisation of XII are discussed. Finallyareas for future research are identified.

Reporting usability defects: limitations of open source defect repositories and suggestions for improvement

Capturing good quality defect reports is critical for ensuring quick resolution of defects. While a range of studies into defect reporting exists, to date, very few focused on usability defect reporting issues can be found. To better understand issues specific to usability defect reporting, we carried out a survey of 56 contributors to the Mozilla and Google Chromium software projects spanning both usability defect reporters and developers. We discovered a range of limitations and key issues in current usability defect reporting tools and approaches identified as important by reporters and developers. In addition, we highlight opportunities to improve defect-reporting tools based on these open source communities' needs.

Ottimizzazione mediante codici di calcolo open source di componenti per il settore aerospaziale

Lo scopo della presente tesi è sviluppare un ambiente per l'ottimizzazione strutturale di componenti per applicazione aerospaziale utilizzando codici open-source. In particolare, il codice Salome viene utilizzato per il disegno automatico delle strutture, il programma Code Aster permette di effettuare l'analisi agli elementi finiti del componente, mentre Octave viene utilizzato per svolgere l'ottimizzazione basata su un algoritmo euristico e per integrare fra di loro i differenti codici. Le tecniche di ottimizzazione dei componenti stanno rivestendo sempre più importanza visto che le moderne tecniche di Additive Manufacturing permettono di realizzare strutture molto complesse che un tempo non era conveniente (o possibile) realizzare con asportazione di materiale. Nella prima parte della tesi si descrivono gli strumenti software utilizzati e la loro integrazione al fine di parametrizzare la generazione di geometrie ed effettuare in modo automatico analisi strutturali. Successivamente si descrivono tre casi di studio in cui la metodologia è stata sperimentata: un primo caso di validazione in cui si è applicato il metodo alla definizione della geometria di minimo peso per una trave a sbalzo con carico concentrato, un secondo test di ottimizzazione di un longherone per aeromobile, un terzo caso applicativo legato alla ottimizzazione di un serbatoio per fluidi in pressione da utilizzare su un satellite.

Un sistema di domotica per il controllo energetico domestico con tecnologie open-source.

Data la sempre maggiore richiesta di fabbisogno energetico, si è sviluppata una nuova filosofia nella gestione dei consumi energetici, il DSM (demand side management), che ha lo scopo di incoraggiare il consumatore ad usare energia in modo più intelligente e coscienzioso. Questo obiettivo, unito all’accumulo di energia da fonti rinnovabili, permetterà un abbassamento dell’utilizzo dell’energia elettrica proveniente dal consumo di fonti non rinnovabili e altamente inquinanti come quelle a combustibili fossili ed una diminuzione sia del consumo energetico, sia del costo per produrre energia che dell’energia stessa. L’home automation e la domotica in ambiente domestico rappresentano un esempio di DSM. L’obiettivo di questa tesi è quello di creare un sistema di home automation utilizzando tecnologie opensource. Sono stati utilizzati device come board Arduino UNO, Raspberry Pi ed un PC con sistema operativo GNU/Linux per creare una simulazione di un sistema di home automation abbinato alla gestione di celle fotovoltaiche ed energy storaging. Il sistema permette di poter spegnere un carico energetico in base a delle particolari circostanze come, per esempio, il superamento di una certa soglia di consumo di energia elettrica. Il software utilizzato è opensource e mira a poter ottimizzare il consumo energetico secondo le proprie finalità. Il tutto a dimostrare che si può creare un sistema di home automation da abbinare con il presente e futuro delle fonti rinnovabili utilizzando tecnologie libere in modo tale da preservare privacy e security oltre che customizzazione e possibilità di adattamento a diverse circostanze. Nella progettazione del sistema è stato implementato un algoritmo per gestire varie situazioni all’interno di un ambiente domestico. La realizzazione di tale algoritmo ha prodotto ottimi risultati nella raggiungimento degli obiettivi prefissati. Il progetto di questa tesi può essere ulteriormente ampliato ed il codice è reperibile in un repository pubblico.

Acumen : an open-source testbed for cyber-physical systems research

Developing Cyber-Physical Systems requires methods and tools to support simulation and verification of hybrid (both continuous and discrete) models. The Acumen modeling and simulation language is an open source testbed for exploring the design space of what rigorousbut- practical next-generation tools can deliver to developers of Cyber- Physical Systems. Like verification tools, a design goal for Acumen is to provide rigorous results. Like simulation tools, it aims to be intuitive, practical, and scalable. However, it is far from evident whether these two goals can be achieved simultaneously. This paper explains the primary design goals for Acumen, the core challenges that must be addressed in order to achieve these goals, the “agile research method” taken by the project, the steps taken to realize these goals, the key lessons learned, and the emerging language design.

A potential lag between the open solar magnetic source flux and solar EUV and X-ray emissions as measured by the Earth's ionosphere during total solar eclipses

Measurements of the ionospheric E-region during total solar eclipses have been used to provide information about the evolution of the solar magnetic field and EUV and X-ray emissions from the solar corona and chromosphere. By measuring levels of ionisation during an eclipse and comparing these measurements with an estimate of the unperturbed ionisation levels (such as those made during a control day, where available) it is possible to estimate the percentage of ionising radiation being emitted by the solar corona and chromosphere. Previously unpublished data from the two eclipses presented here are particularly valuable as they provide information that supplements the data published to date. The eclipse of 23 October 1976 over Australia provides information in a data gap that would otherwise have spanned the years 1966 to 1991. The eclipse of 4 December 2002 over Southern Africa is important as it extends the published sequence of measurements. Comparing measurements from eclipses between 1932 and 2002 with the solar magnetic source flux reveals that changes in the solar EUV and X-ray flux lag the open source flux measurements by approximately 1.5 years. We suggest that this unexpected result comes about from changes to the relative size of the limb corona between eclipses, with the lag representing the time taken to populate the coronal field with plasma hot enough to emit the EUV and X-rays ionising our atmosphere.

Moving towards open standards

Standards are designed to promote the interoperability of products and systems by enabling different parties to develop technologies that can be used together. There is an increasing expectation in many technical communities, including open source communities, that standards will be ‘open’. However, standards are subject to legal rights which impact upon, not only their development, but also their implementation. Of central importance are intellectual property rights: technical standards may incorporate patented technologies, while the specification documents of standards are protected by copyright. This article provides an overview of the processes by which standards are developed and considers the concept of ‘interoperability’, the meaning of the term ‘open standard’ and how open standards contribute to interoperability. It explains how intellectual property rights operate in relation to standards and how they can be managed to create standards that are open, not only during their development, but also in implementation.

Source of concern for IT purchasing decisions

The open source juggernaut seems to be gaining pace. The open source model certainly has appeal - cutting costs, while at the same time potentially increasing staff and system efficiencies. However, open source poses a number of significant legal challenges and risks for those that incorporate it. Clients need to look carefully before leaping.

Creating a legal framework for copyright management of open access within the Australian academic and research sector

This chapter analyses the copyright law framework needed to ensure open access to outputs of the Australian academic and research sector such as journal articles and theses. It overviews the new knowledge landscape, the principles of copyright law, the concept of open access to knowledge, the recently developed open content models of copyright licensing and the challenges faced in providing greater access to knowledge and research outputs.

Open access spatial data and collaboration

On 19 June 2015, representatives from over 40 Australian research institutions gathered in Canberra to launch their Open Data Collections. The one day event, hosted by the Australian National Data Service (ANDS), showcased to government and a range of national stakeholders the rich variety of data collections that have been generated through the Major Open Data Collections (MODC) project. Colin Eustace attended the showcase for QUT Library and presented a poster that reflected the work that he and Jodie Vaughan generated through the project. QUT’s Blueprint 4, the University’s five-year institutional strategic plan, outlines the key priorities of developing a commitment to working in partnership with industry, as well as combining disciplinary strengths with interdisciplinary application. The Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support (TILS) has undertaken a number of Australian National Data Service (ANDS) funded projects since 2009 with the aim of developing improved research data management services within the University to support these strategic aims. By leveraging existing tools and systems developed during these projects, the Major Open Data Collection (MODC) project delivered support to multi-disciplinary collaborative research activities through partnership building between QUT researchers and Queensland government agencies, in order to add to and promote the discovery and reuse of a collection of spatially referenced datasets. The MODC project built upon existing Research Data Finder infrastructure (which uses VIVO open source software, developed by Cornell University) to develop a separate collection, Spatial Data Finder (https://researchdatafinder.qut.edu.au/spatial) as the interface to display the spatial data collection. During the course of the project, 62 dataset descriptions were added to Spatial Data Finder, 7 added to Research Data Finder and two added to Software Finder, another separate collection. The project team met with 116 individual researchers and attended 13 school and faculty meetings to promote the MODC project and raise awareness of the Library’s services and resources for research data management.

The Open Access Scientific Journal: An Empirical Study

The open access (OA) model for journals is compared to the open source principle for computer software. Since the early 1990s nearly 1,000 OA scientific journals have emerged – mostly as voluntary community efforts, although recently some professionally operating publishers have used author charges or institutional membership. This study of OA journals without author charges shows that their impact is still relatively small, but awareness of it is increasing. The average number of research articles per year is lower than for major scientific journals but the publication times are shorter.

The Electronic Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon): An Open Access Journal Using an Un-paid, Volunteer-Based Organization

Introduction This case study is based on the experiences with the Electronic Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), founded in 1995. Development This journal is an example of a particular category of open access journals, which use neither author charges nor subscriptions to finance their operations, but rely largely on unpaid voluntary work in the spirit of the open source movement. The journal has, after some initial struggle, survived its first decade and is now established as one of half-a-dozen peer reviewed journals in its field. Operations The journal publishes articles as they become ready, but creates virtual issues through alerting messages to “subscribers”. It has also started to publish special issues, since this helps in attracting submissions, and also helps in sharing the work-load of review management. From the start the journal adopted a rather traditional layout of the articles. After the first few years the HTML version was dropped and papers are only published in PDF format. Performance The journal has recently been benchmarked against the competing journals in its field. Its acceptance rate of 53% is slightly higher and its average turnaround time of seven months almost a year faster compared to those journals in the sample for which data could be obtained. The server log files for the past three years have also been studied. Conclusions Our overall experience demonstrates that it is possible to publish this type of OA journal, with a yearly publishing volume equal to a quarterly journal and involving the processing of some fifty submissions a year, using a networked volunteer-based organization.

The Scholarly Journal Re-engineered: A Case Study of an Open Access Journal in Construction IT

Open access is a new model for the publishing of scientific journals enabled by the Internet, in which the published articles are freely available for anyone to read. During the 1990’s hundreds of individual open access journals were founded by groups of academics, supported by grants and unpaid voluntary work. During the last five years other types of open access journals, funded by author charges have started to emerge and also established publishers have started to experiment with different variations of open access. This article reports on the experiences of one open access journal (The Electronic Journal of Information Technology in Construction, ITcon) over its ten year history. In addition to a straightforward account of the lessons learned the journal is also benchmarked against a number of competitors in the same research area and its development is put into the larger perspective of changes in scholarly publishing. The main findings are: That a journal publishing around 20-30 articles per year, equivalent to a typical quarterly journal, can sustainable be produced using an open source like production model. The journal outperforms its competitors in some respects, such as the speed of publication, availability of the results and balanced global distribution of authorship, and is on a par with them in most other respects. The key statistics for ITcon are: Acceptance rate 55 %. Average speed of publication 6-7 months. 801 subscribers to email alerts. Average number of downloads by human readers per paper per month 21.

Constructing a Community : Myths and Realities of the Open Development Model

The open development model of software production has been characterized as the future model of knowledge production and distributed work. Open development model refers to publicly available source code ensured by an open source license, and the extensive and varied distributed participation of volunteers enabled by the Internet. Contemporary spokesmen of open source communities and academics view open source development as a new form of volunteer work activity characterized by hacker ethic and bazaar governance . The development of the Linux operating system is perhaps the best know example of such an open source project. It started as an effort by a user-developer and grew quickly into a large project with hundreds of user-developer as contributors. However, in hybrids , in which firms participate in open source projects oriented towards end-users, it seems that most users do not write code. The OpenOffice.org project, initiated by Sun Microsystems, in this study represents such a project. In addition, the Finnish public sector ICT decision-making concerning open source use is studied. The purpose is to explore the assumptions, theories and myths related to the open development model by analysing the discursive construction of the OpenOffice.org community: its developers, users and management. The qualitative study aims at shedding light on the dynamics and challenges of community construction and maintenance, and related power relations in hybrid open source, by asking two main research questions: How is the structure and membership constellation of the community, specifically the relation between developers and users linguistically constructed in hybrid open development? What characterizes Internet-mediated virtual communities and how can they be defined? How do they differ from hierarchical forms of knowledge production on one hand and from traditional volunteer communities on the other? The study utilizes sociological, psychological and anthropological concepts of community for understanding the connection between the real and the imaginary in so-called virtual open source communities. Intermediary methodological and analytical concepts are borrowed from discourse and rhetorical theories. A discursive-rhetorical approach is offered as a methodological toolkit for studying texts and writing in Internet communities. The empirical chapters approach the problem of community and its membership from four complementary points of views. The data comprises mailing list discussion, personal interviews, web page writings, email exchanges, field notes and other historical documents. The four viewpoints are: 1) the community as conceived by volunteers 2) the individual contributor s attachment to the project 3) public sector organizations as users of open source 4) the community as articulated by the community manager. I arrive at four conclusions concerning my empirical studies (1-4) and two general conclusions (5-6). 1) Sun Microsystems and OpenOffice.org Groupware volunteers failed in developing necessary and sufficient open code and open dialogue to ensure collaboration thus splitting the Groupware community into volunteers we and the firm them . 2) Instead of separating intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, I find that volunteers unique patterns of motivations are tied to changing objects and personal histories prior and during participation in the OpenOffice.org Lingucomponent project. Rather than seeing volunteers as a unified community, they can be better understood as independent entrepreneurs in search of a collaborative community . The boundaries between work and hobby are blurred and shifting, thus questioning the usefulness of the concept of volunteer . 3) The public sector ICT discourse portrays a dilemma and tension between the freedom to choose, use and develop one s desktop in the spirit of open source on one hand and the striving for better desktop control and maintenance by IT staff and user advocates, on the other. The link between the global OpenOffice.org community and the local end-user practices are weak and mediated by the problematic IT staff-(end)user relationship. 4) Authoring community can be seen as a new hybrid open source community-type of managerial practice. The ambiguous concept of community is a powerful strategic tool for orienting towards multiple real and imaginary audiences as evidenced in the global membership rhetoric. 5) The changing and contradictory discourses of this study show a change in the conceptual system and developer-user relationship of the open development model. This change is characterized as a movement from hacker ethic and bazaar governance to more professionally and strategically regulated community. 6) Community is simultaneously real and imagined, and can be characterized as a runaway community . Discursive-action can be seen as a specific type of online open source engagement. Hierarchies and structures are created through discursive acts. Key words: Open Source Software, open development model, community, motivation, discourse, rhetoric, developer, user, end-user

Open Content Licenses

The EU Directive harmonising copyright, Directive 2001/29/EC, has been implemented in all META-NORD countries. The licensing schemas of open content/open source and META-SHARE as well as CLARIN are discussed shortly. The status of the licensing of tools and resources available at the consortium partners are outlined. The aim of the article is to compare a set of open content and open source license and provide some guidance on the optimal use of licenses provided by META-NET and CLARIN for licensing the tools and resources for the benefit of the language technology community.