Summary: Efforts that label themselves "Open Source Hardware" are gaining popularity, but Arduino and other efforts need to keep the notorious vandaliser, Intel, well out of their boundaries

So-called "Open Source Hardware" or "Open Hardware" is derived from the ideals of Free software, as laid bear by Richard Stallman 30 years ago. The notion that we should share designs and permit people to modify designs is not entirely novel because stuff like Lego encourages us and our children to do so. Talking about business models [1] is another, perpendicular/orthogonal issue and whether it can relate to software or not [2] might not matter so much, either. It's like when people argue with Stallman about whether Free software is good for business or not, as if having a business model is somehow essential to justifying freedom or somehow defends denying people their freedom.

Arduino, one of the leading forces in the area, is now speaking to the press [3] and greedy, malicious Intel tries to interject itself into it, just like it did with OLPC, basically destroying the project. Arduino would be wise to learn from OLPC and send Intel far away. ⬆

Related/contextual items from the news:

1. The Truth About Open Source Hardware Business Models

   After some time now, the Open Hardware Ecosystem and Business sector gained some significant traction. An excellent presentation by Mathilde Berchon was recently release at the open hardware summit, trying to summarize the increasingly interesting diversity and numbers of the OSHW business. W





2. Open source hardware holds the same promise as software

   I see SparkFun Electronics mentioned often in my social media stream, so I jumped at the chance to interview Chris Clark, the company's Director of Information Technology.





3. Arduino creator explains why open source matters in hardware, too

   Ars conducts a Q&A with Massimo Banzi as Arduino's rise continues.





4. Intel's Quarky Arduino Adventure