Does Open Source Need Its Own Social Network?

by Lisa Hoover - Mar. 05, 2008Comments (7)

It seems like every group has its own social network these days. Cat lovers, moms, kids, gearheads, business professionals, and bookworms all have a place of their own online. Do open source enthusiasts need to grab a corner of the Internet too?

The idea of an open source social network isn't new; Red Hat launched Mugshot almost two years ago but it's never really gained much traction. There are also plenty of general interest social sites built with open source tools. What seems to be conspicuously missing from the mix is a social Web site where the common denominator among members is a love of open source software.

Is there a gaping void in the Internet or is there just no need for such a thing?

Well, maybe a little of both.

On the one hand, the very nature of open source projects lend themselves to networking among users. There are numerous IRC channels, wikis, planets, and mailing lists for virtually every distribution and app out there, so the itch to congregate is already being scratched to some degree.

On the other hand, these meeting places tend to be very distro- or app-centric. Yes, like minds are congregating, but maybe the open source community as a whole might benefit from a little more co-mingling. Maybe if users of different distributions spent more time getting to know each other, opportunities to work together for the greater good of the open source community would arise, and greater inroads would be made toward the world-wide adaptation so many users are hoping for. Of course, open source enthusiasts of all kinds get together to meet all the time and, when they do, good things happen. Maybe it's time for a broader watering hole for everyone to mix and mingle?


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Dawn Giorgio uses OStatic to support Open Source, ask and answer questions and stay informed. What about you?



7 Comments
 

Well, if you think about it, the entire Open Source movement is a social network of some sort. The newsgroups, the IRC channels, the blog comments (like this and on sites like /. ) do form a loose network of sorts.


The point is - let's not socially network for the sake of socially networking.


I don't need more 'connections', or more places to upload photos.


Give us a place to go find cool stuff that we would not find easily. Help us find stuff that would make life easier, without having to dig, and help us showcase our mad skillz!


0 Votes

I agree with you, Anon. I'm numb to social networks at this point and I'm not sure that the community could be better served if we all joined together, held hands, and sang songs. :-)


Though this was just an idea I threw out there, I'd be interested to know: what would readers like for us to talk about at OStatic?


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Well, I do think a professional network of some sort would be of value! Another 'SOCIAL' network seems lame.


Yelp rocks because I can get opinions from people we might know, though right now, it is getting to be a bit like CitySearch (what does a 7/10 really mean?). Yet, it is real reviews from real people.


There are a ton of cool Open Source projects out there. Would be great if we can see lists by areas. For "Getting Things Done", here are a collection of tools and products. For "Network Management", here is a list. Then have some user experience and reviews, etc. Let's pick areas to review and go after them.


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Check out the stats at:


http://sourceforge.net/


1.8M Users

171,000 Projects


Yes. it's a total focus on source code. These folks love to get into the flow of programming. They are NOT social animals. They are introsepctive/creatives.

Having a touch of Asberger's Syndrome is an asset in that circle.


Now, Open Source users are best found at slashdot.org. Different type.


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Sure. SF provides great services, but look at the amount of time techies (uhh... guilty!) spend on /., digg and other sites. I mean, where do all the BOFHs spend their time?! Now, if you want to get answers, insights, etc. where would you go?!


/. is a good watering hole, with the posts being 'by the way'. I'm sure, with some real data to be had, it could be fun to have a social/professional/code network...


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hi im a asberger sufferer and I choose Ohloh.com!


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these comments are so fake. this blog sucks.


0 Votes
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