Open source software should better society and connect social purpose
Social3Source: Connecting Social Provenance, Societal Qualities, and Social Purpose on an Open-Source Software Foundation
Software Engineering
Summary
Today, software is made and shared faster than ever, but the authors argue that just releasing software as open source isn't enough. They propose thinking about how software is created, the social values it supports, and the good it aims to do. Their idea, called Social3Source, brings social goals directly into open-source software projects. It’s a way to make sure that the many programs we make really help people and society.
What this means in practice
- •For open source project managers: Guide project decisions to include social goals and values as part of development practices.
- •For corporate social responsibility teams: Integrate social impact evaluation into software sourcing strategies using Social3Source concepts.
A position paper. It proposes an approach and reports no results.
Authors
Jordi Cabot
Abstract
The speed at which software can be created and deployed today has increased dramatically. But what is the point of all this software if it does not contribute to society? The ultimate goal of building software should be bettering human lives and society. And this goes beyond publishing the software as open source; it requires considering how it is developed, the societal qualities it embodies, and the purposes it serves. This is what I call Social3Source. This paper presents the concept, principles, and initial discussion for the implementation of Social3Source, illustrating how it integrates social considerations into open-source software development. We have never generated as much software as we do today. Let's make sure it counts.