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It is open source, but there are different models of project development. In particular, there is a lot of nuance in your term "once they are finished". If a c
by siddboots 12y ago
It is open source, but there are different models of project development. In particular, there is a lot of nuance in your term "once they are finished".
If a company periodically dumps a large project tree online but continues the development and management behind closed doors, it makes it very difficult anyone else to make use of or build upon the source without forking it completely (and forking has its own risks).
This is why windlep is pointing out that Mozilla "develops in the open", as opposed to being merely open source.
- click170 12y agoNitpick: I don't think there's anything wrong with a closed development model and open sourcing the result, but IMO it's not open source until the code is available. If you're starting a project with this intention, I don't think it's really Open Source until your first code dump is publicly accessible - at which point, go nuts with branding it Open Source. I also don't think it's unfair to do code dumps, if the code is available then job done. Other projects provide additional hand holding, but in my opinion that's a feature that the original authors have the freedom to choose to not implement. I'm really pleased that Mozilla have chosen an open development model.