3 Open-Source Challenges: Cloud Computing, Open Web, Mobile

Another promise is Moblin, which was discussed at length by Dirk Hohndel, Intel's chief Linux open-source technologist. Intel wants to engage the open-source community to create a new category of Internet-centric devices such as mobile Internet devices and automotive in-vehicle infotainment systems.

Moblin has been around for a year, said Hohndel; its initial adopters were not open-source developers but rather people who were thinking about products to build. Obviously, said Hohndel, Intel wants people to build projects. "But I want to see the open-source developers-to see the community run with it and to make it their project," he said.

Intel is currently putting together the software stack for the next instance, Moblin 2. "We're going to open this up to the public at a developer camp, in three to four weeks," he said. "The hope I have is that the community takes this from us, that the community makes it theirs."

Open-Source Movement, Applied to Security and Privacy

But those are just the technology challenges. The open-source community has political power, too, and can shape the future of how technology affects our lives. At least that's the opinion of Christine Peterson, president of Foresight Nanotech Institute.

Petersen largely pays attention to nanotech, but she also draws connections between technology and how it's used. (This is your cue to mutter, "Use this power for good and not for evil.") For example, she explained, dogs can pick up smells from a single molecule; nanotech is heading in that direction. That one item has power for social change. "We tax income," she said. "What if we could tax pollution?"

On the other hand, sewer monitoring has begun. That's good for things that need to be detected, whether because of terrorism or health risks. But some municipalities are using nanotech sewer monitoring to test for illicit drugs. "There's no reason that they couldn't take it to the property line," she said. "You guys are going to have a lot of influence on how this plays out."

Petersen's main message was in regard to the balance between privacy and security. The US federal government folks in Washington DC, tend to ignore the great debates in the community about the social impact, according to Petersen. They go ahead with their plans because they're responsible for protecting us, and the only tools they have are top down tools. But, she says, "They're trying to solve a bottom up problem with top down tools."

"Who can figure this out? Well gosh-we need a community that understands security, privacy, functionality and freedom," Petersen said. "You're the only ones who get this." She added, "The folks in DC do not have the toolsets to figure this out no matter how well meaning they are. They want to keep you safe and they're trying very hard to do it."

Petersen's catchphrase for this effort is "no secret software for public sensing data." She urged the open-source community to take part, not merely complain. "Look what happened with e-voting-this will be just like that [if you don't get involved]."

The open-source community is turning its attention from technology and acceptance to bigger problems. O'Reilly said, "As we look at our success, we could be really proud... but what I'm most excited and encouraged by is that you're tackling new, hard problems." Work on what's hard, work on what's important, he urged, "so that history does not pass us by but carries us to the new future."