The Rhetoric of Free: Open Source Software and Technical Communication During Economic Downturns

Abstract

This article explores the ramifications of deploying free and open source software (F/OSS) for technical communication program development. Against the backdrop of the recession, the article draws on empirical research to examine how different stakeholders understand the F in F/OSS, its relationship with proprietary software, and the institutional contexts surrounding these technologies. It contributes four recommendations for working with F/OSS that might help programs shore up in tough times and thrive postdownturn.

keywords:

• open source software
• proprietary software
• technical communication

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported, in part, by the University of South Florida, Office of Research & Innovation through the New Researcher Grant Program. I thank Michele Simmons for her ideas about ethics, Julie Staggers for her political insights, and Patricia Sullivan for her insights about engineering. I also thank my participants and C&W 2010 conference organizers, Samantha Blackmon and David Blakesley, for allowing me to speak with attendees.

Notes

Notes. Freedoms 0–3 were introduced in Free Software Foundation (2010). Freedom 4 is the creation of the author of this article.

The numbers in each column do not correspond with the total participants in each category because people could pick more than one response (or pick no response at all).

All names, including that of the company and its computer management system, have been changed.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Meredith W. Zoetewey

Meredith W. Zoetewey is an associate professor in the Department of English at the University of South Florida.