Sessions at SXSW Interactive 2011 about Open Source

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Topic: Open Source

Friday 11th March 2011

How Not to Design Like a Developer

by Chrissie Brodigan

Open source projects, in particular, have long skimped on presentation and packaging (basically, they are the equivalent of "she has a great personality!" in the world of blind dating).

This talk is on how designer (graphic, UI & UX, all deft ninjas of the visual and editorial) organize and contribute their visual hacks to open source projects, working in tandem with engineers. Specifically, we'll look at how designers can get involved with Mozilla's Creative Collective, as well as how developers can leverage some of lessons learned by Mozilla's workflow and community-organizing techniques to foster their own design communities and inspire individuals to contribute to other open source projects of all sizes.

People who have contributed to or are working on an open source project, do so in an effort to create and distribute free software (free as in “free speech” v. free as in “drinks on me tonight!”*). This is a great opportunity to get involved with a team and movement (or start your own) that making a better and more awesome internet. As a bonus, contributing to open source is also a great way to enhance your portfolio, discover the brightest people, and create career-inspiring opportunities for yourself and your peers.
At 2:00pm to 3:00pm, Friday 11th March

In Ballroom B, Austin Convention Center

Saturday 12th March 2011

Federating the Social Web

by Evan Prodromou, Kevin Marks, Monica Wilkinson and Dan Peterson

Federating social networks means people on different networks following each other. It's driven by the growth of private social networks for businesses; the development of new Open Source tools for social networking; and concerns about privacy and control of your brand in consumer sites.

The panel will discuss advances in the federated social web and the technologies that are making it possible. We'll cover who's implementing it today, and what kind of control a federated model gives companies and individuals. We'll give first steps on what you can do to weave your company and your social media presence into a federated social web.

LEVEL: Intermediate
At 9:30am to 10:30am, Saturday 12th March

In TX Ballroom 2-4, Hyatt Regency Austin
Money for Nothing, and Your Software for Free

by Chris Lundberg, Heather Gardner-Madras, Jeff Herron, Mark Jaquith and Ryan Marsh

Free beer! Free kittens! Free software! We all love to get something for free, especially when budgets are tight. We dream of the free product that will, like magic, solve our problems without costing a cent. (If you aren't, your boss probably is.) But free things almost always come with hidden costs, and free software is no different. It won't give you a hangover, or get fleas, but it could eat up your staff time, control your data, or change the rules on you without notice. This was spectacularly clear when Ning eliminated free accounts, leaving users with the choice of paying up, or losing years of hard work. Or when Facebook suddenly turned fans into "likers," forcing page administrators to change their outreach strategy. But not all free software is created equal, and it's not just about open source vs. closed source. Some tools give you great power - but you have to know how to use it. Others limit your options, or ignore what you really need. But some may be just what you're looking for. We'll explore the ins and outs of free and low-cost software, and ask: what does free software really cost?

LEVEL: Intermediate
At 5:00pm to 6:00pm, Saturday 12th March

In Room 10AB, Austin Convention Center

Coverage slide deck

Monday 14th March 2011

Better Innovation, Design and Sustainability via Open Source

by Andrew Zolli and Hannah Jones

The need has never been greater than it is today for action to be taken on separating consumption from the use of natural resources if we are all to thrive in a future sustainable economy.

Nike believes that design, innovation and a commitment to open source data and collaboration will help fast track the work needed to architect a sustainable roadmap.

This session will explore the internal and external pressures that are creating a platform for Nike to start a conversation with the design and development community around the value and application of intellectual property and data to help find solutions to some of the most intractable sustainability problems.

LEVEL: Intermediate
At 11:00am to 12:00pm, Monday 14th March

In Salon K, Hilton Austin Downtown