Why FOSS Is Better Than Open Source And Source Available
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At DTV Electronics, we are a hardware company unapologetically focused on FOSS (Free and Open Source Software). The origins of our company are deeply rooted in this commitment.
When Ant, our founder, met Aaron Dewes, a developer associated with Umbrel, a Bitcoin node OS, they shared a vision for a true FOSS initiative. Disappointed with Umbrel’s development trajectory and its deviation from the FOSS ethos (Umbrel is now only Source Available), Aaron left Umbrel to create Citadel, a FOSS alternative. Their collaboration expanded when Mirek, an expert PCB designer in Poland, joined the team. Mirek had developed a carrier board design capable of supporting a Raspberry Pi 4 Compute Module while maintaining full software support and customizable inputs/outputs. The union of these three innovators led to the creation of DTV Electronics.
But why is source available considered bad, open source good, and FOSS even better? Let’s dissect these three major software categories.
Source Available
“Source available” software means that the source code is accessible for viewing. However, this does not necessarily grant the rights to modify, distribute, or use the code freely. Often, the source available licenses have restrictions that can limit what users can do with the software. These limitations can hinder collaboration and innovation, as the community cannot freely contribute to or build upon the software. Source available licenses, for example the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0, cannot be described as Open Source.
The Risks Of Source Available Software
The risks of using Source Available software can be seen especially with crucial software implementations like Bitcoin Nodes. For example, one of the most popular Bitcoin Node OS, Umbrel, switched from Open Source to Source Available a couple years ago. In the event of a controversial soft fork proposal that the Umbrel developers don’t agree with, they might decide not to update their software. The damage they could cause by not being fully open source could be very serious.
But why? In practice, Umbrel, being a Source Available software, can no longer be “forked” or modified and distributed (as Citadel did before Umbrel changed its license). So, with a controversial soft fork that perhaps those at Umbrel are against (especially in this case) and therefore decide not to update their Bitcoin Core/knots software with the soft fork, users running Umbrel nodes would be at the mercy of Umbrel’s decisions and the centralization of control over their software. This centralized decision-making process could potentially stifle innovation and prevent the community from exploring alternative paths or implementing consensus changes that differ from Umbrel’s vision.
Open Source
Open source software goes a step further. It not only makes the source code available but also allows users to modify and distribute the software. This fosters a collaborative environment where developers can contribute to the improvement and evolution of the software. However, open source does not inherently guarantee the same level of freedom in every context, as some open source licenses can have various restrictions, especially around the commercial use or integration with proprietary systems.
FOSS (Free and Open Source Software)
FOSS combines the principles of open source with the freedoms defined by the Free Software Foundation. FOSS guarantees users the freedom to run, study, change, and distribute the software for any purpose. This ensures maximum user autonomy and promotes an environment of unrestricted collaboration and innovation. FOSS licenses, such as the GNU General Public License (GPL), are designed to protect these freedoms, ensuring that the software remains free and open for all users, both now and in the future.
The DTV Electronics Approach
At DTV Electronics, we are not just a hardware company; we are champions of the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) movement. Our commitment to FOSS principles is a core part of our identity and shapes everything we do. We actively partner with leading FOSS developers, such as Nirvati, to create solutions that are free, open, and collaborative.
But our dedication to openness doesn’t stop at software. We also apply the ‘open source hardware’ concept, which is the hardware equivalent of FOSS. This means we publish all our hardware designs online, making them freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. By embracing these principles, we foster an environment where innovation thrives and the community can freely contribute to and benefit from our work.
