Canonical vs. Community -an outside study

Billestrup, Jane ; Jensen, Lasse Stissing ; Jensen, Dan Kærvang

4. term (INF10 - Master Thesis)

Informatics, Master

2009

Denne afhandling undersøger samarbejdet mellem en virksomhed og et open source‑fællesskab, med Ubuntu og Canonical som case. Vi ser på, hvor stor kontrol virksomheden har over fællesskabet, og hvordan relationen påvirkes af kommercielle interesser. Metodisk er der tale om et casestudie baseret på kvalitative interviews med både medarbejdere i Canonical og medlemmer af Ubuntu‑fællesskabet. Derudover gennemførte vi en ustruktureret observationsundersøgelse på Ubuntu Developer Summit i Barcelona (25.–29. maj 2009) for at bekræfte interviewresultaterne og indsamle yderligere empiriske data. Vi konkluderer, at Canonical har betydelig indflydelse på Ubuntus udgivelser (nye versioner), samtidig med at virksomheden forsøger at give de frivillige udviklere en stemme. Begge parter deler et fælles mål: at gøre Ubuntu til den bedst mulige distribution.

This thesis examines how a company and an open‑source community collaborate, using Ubuntu and Canonical as a case. We explore how much control the company has over the community and how commercial interests shape their relationship. Our approach is a case study based on qualitative interviews with both Canonical employees and Ubuntu community members. We also conducted an unstructured observation at the Ubuntu Developer Summit in Barcelona (May 25–29, 2009) to confirm interview findings and gather additional empirical data. We conclude that Canonical has substantial influence over Ubuntu releases (new versions), while also trying to give volunteer developers a voice. Both sides share a common goal: making Ubuntu the best distribution possible.

[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]

Download
View record in AAU Student Projects