The Way of Open Source:

New Best Practices for Technology Development

Technology startups face a standard set of development challenges. The founder needs to focus on business development while still meeting technology milestones. The lead technologist needs to manage development risk factors while still driving hard on product development. The eventual work product needs to be made as usable and marketable as possible without spending undue resources or experiencing undue delay.

In the software world, the methods of the open source community have recently emerged as a dynamic force for accelerating this kind of technology development. Open technology is as much about process and practice as it is about product. As such, its lessons are applicable not just in software, but throughout the technology space.

Seminar leader Bart Massey is an expert on open source software and open technology. He will discuss how the methods and tools of open technology can be applied in almost any new technology business. Key topics will include:

• Hybrid systems
• Shared work
• Multi-modal collaboration
• Super-agile development

All these have been used to create effective, high-feedback cycles that have dramatically changed the process of software development. Learn how they can be used to energize your startup.

For the past several years, Massey has taught open source software engineering and artificial intelligence at Portland State University and for the Oregon Master of Software Engineering program. Prior to that, he worked for Tektronix in the TV Measurement Systems group as a DSP programmer and as a systems, languages, and tools expert.

Date: Thursday, February 21, 2008

Time: Noon - 1:15 pm

Where: Portland State Business Accelerator, Mt. Hood Conference Room - 209

2828 SW Corbett Avenue, Portland

Parking: In PSBA lot; at no charge.

Cost: Seminar and lunch: $10 in advance (must prepay by 5 pm Feb. 20)

Seminar only: No charge. (You can bring your lunch, if desired.)

Lunch available for those who pre-register and pre-pay by February 20 at 5 pm (the day before the event). Lunch from Paradise Bakery includes:

• your choice of sandwich
• cookie
• bag of chips
• bottle of water

This talk is part of a series of PSU faculty members who meld real-world experience with cutting edge research and teaching.

Questions: call 503-725-2312 or email PSBA office