Reader's advisory: Wired News has been unable to confirm some sources for a number of stories written by this author. If you have any information about sources cited in this article, please send an e-mail to sourceinfo[AT]wired.com.
Bascom Global Internet Services has launched a program intended to extend the spirit behind open-source software by creating a community of hardware givers and takers.
Dubbed "Open Source Equipment Exchange" (OSEE), the program will operate as a sort of open-source dating service, matching people who would like to donate computer equipment with OS developers who need to bulk up their infrastructure to continue work on their projects.
Bascom CTO Bob DeRosa said his company wanted to find a way to give back to the open-source community from which it has benefited so greatly.
"People may not realize this but a lot of open-source developers are creating software on their own time, using their own equipment, and they more often than not don't get paid for their software," DeRosa said.
Benoy Tamang, vice president of marketing at Caldera Systems, a Linux software vendor, agreed.
"The strength of Linux as a mission critical operating system derives in large part from the collaborative spirit of open source developers committed to its continued evolution," Tamang said. "The benefits will go beyond the open-source community and reach into businesses and organizations everywhere seeking a stable, reliable, and powerful platform."
Bascom specializes in Linux-based networking applications, and DeRosa said the company has greatly benefited from the growth of the open-source OS.
"We've been able to develop products that a few years ago could only be built by large corporations with far more resources," DeRosa said. "We're extending the original concept of sharing code to sharing hardware and other equipment. Even if you can't write code and don't have a lot of extra money you can still contribute to a vibrant community that promises to deliver innovations that will make us all more productive."
Initially, DeRosa believes small- to medium-size businesses and individuals will be the biggest contributors to OSEE. Such organizations often have equipment that is not being used but don't necessarily have to cut through as much red tape as larger companies that want to donate hardware, he said.
"A Pentium machine with 32MB of memory can be used by an open-source developer to develop code," DeRosa said. "[Networking equipment], a hard drive, or CD-ROM might be just what an open-source developer needs to make their life a little easier."
DeRosa also expects donations from peripheral manufacturers -- drivers written for their devices.
"There is a big push to have USB devices run under Linux. But device manufacturers don't always have the staff, budget, or expertise to write Linux drivers," he said. "I can't think of a better and cheaper way of having a driver written than by donating the device to an open-source developer."
The OSEE site is expected to go live by mid-2000. Bascom will design and host the site, but since it is an open-source project, the company welcomes input and contributions from the community. The temporary OSEE Web site has an email address that interested parties can use to make suggestions or request more information.
DeRosa said the only possible drawback to OSEE is that "the spouses of the developers participating in the exchange may not appreciate all the extra 'stuff' that will start showing up at their front door."
