Abstract

This paper examines and analyzes results from empirical studies that begin to outline some of the that situate how F/OSS systems are developed in different communities. In particular, examples drawn from different F/OSS project communities reveal how processes and practices for the development and propagation of F/OSS technology are intertwined and mutually situated to the benefit of those motivated to use and contribute to it. 12 The future of research in the development and use of STINs as a conceptual lens for observing and analyzing F/OSSD processes and practices seems likely to focus attention to the following topics. First, the focus of software process research is evolving to include attention to sociotechnical processes of people, resources, organizational forms, and institutional rules that embed and surround an F/OSS system, as well as how they interact and interface with one another. Such a focus draws attention to the web of socio-technical relations that interlink people in particular settings to a situated configuration of globally available Web-based artifacts and locally available resources (skills, time, effort, computing) that must collectively be mobilized or brought into alignment in order for a useful F/OSS system to be continuously (re)designed to meet evolving user needs. Second, participation in F/OSS system design, assertion of system requirements, or design decision-making is determined by effort, willingness, and prior public experience in similar situations, rather than by assignment by management or some other administrative authority. Similarly, the openness of the source code/content of a F/OSS system encourages and enables many forms of transparency, access, and ability to customize/localize a system's design to best address user/develope...

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