Even though a clear cut recipe for success may not exist for building and growing an open source community, there are some common patterns that emerge when considering currently successful projects. Though mobile devices really are a different and unique medium, many concepts that drive open source overall apply here too, especially as platforms like Google Android, Symbian and Openmoko continue to seek new talent and expand their communities.
First and most important, any new open source project that’s looking to add quality members needs to seek them out in sufficient numbers to create a diverse set of perspectives. Once that’s in place the conversations tend to take on a life of their own. Google Android began its community by relying on the search giant’s ubitquitous reputation in creating easy-to-use and free software. Google generated lots of buzz by making an announcement that it would be supporting an open source mobile platform and people flocked toward the idea.
But, even with Google’s name behind the project, Android is facing delays.
Another feature that Google emphasizes in most of its projects is easy communication between members. That’s key because then the exchange of ideas and points and counterpoints encourages innovation and the discovery of new efficiencies.
A problem that occurs more frequently with open source projects than with their commercial counterparts is the availability of documentation. How will a new user learn to use the system? Are there easy-to-understand manuals that speak in a language anyone can understand? Sometimes open source projects have a very active and large communities but they begin to ignore new visitors, instead just expecting everyone to begin at their water level. Nothing will push a new visitor away faster than a difficult to understand interface with no appropriate documentation.
Here is a list of items that will significantly influence the success or failure of an open source initiative — including mobile open source platforms like Google Android, Symbian (new to the open source landscape) and Openmoko.
- Large, regularly active community
- Direction for the hive mind, provided by a core team of respected experts
- Tools for easy communication d2d and d2c
- Public change log to publish changes between versions
- Easy-to-use documentation that quickly brings a new user up to speed
- Strong marketing arm that creates a unique brand identity and ensures the community is easily findable online
- Forum moderators that make sure questions by end users are answered and a baseline of professionalism is established