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Individual Assignment #1:  Open Source Research

Note that this assignment is worth 15 points towards your final grade.  Write a paper of 4 - 7 pages (350 words per page) -- with references -- in length that covers the following topics:

1. Provide background on the open source movement. Search for "GNU General Public Licence (GPL)" (see www.gnu.org) and explain the financial incentive for individuals and companies (e.g., IBM) to develop software and give it away to their customers for free.

2. Why is IBM embracing open source (e.g., www.ibm.com/linux)?

3. What was the basis of the Microsoft anti-trust case? How does this  relate to open source?

4. Identify at least one open source product from among the following categories: operating system (e.g., www.linux.org), office automation (Star Office www.sun.com), database (www.mysql.org, www.postgresql.org), web browser (www.kde.org). Do some research; don't just re-list these examples.

5. Imagine that you are going to make the case for your employer to migrate to open source. What are your arguments in favor or against open source)?

Also, read these articles for  background information:

• Latest CNN report -- Antitrust case appeal denied

• Microsoft wants Pentagon to curb use of free software (says Open Source "a cancer" and un-American

• Open source to change the face of software industry by 2004

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Individual Assignment #2:  Paper on Selected Topics

Write a 4-6 page paper (350 words per page) including references on your perspectives on the following topics:

• Security challenges of the Internet

• Off-shore software development and applications support

Individual Assignment #3:  Paper on e-Commerce Models

Write a 3-5 page paper (350 words per page) including references on your perspectives on the following topics:

• Application Service Provider (ASP) model

• Digital market places (e.g., enporion.com, e-bay, billingzone.com)

• Web services