Interesting article on Open Source Hardware
Interesting analysis on open-source hardware, from one of the most respected national newspapers in India. Touches many policy making as well as business model related topics, relating to the impact of open-source, in the developing economies. Having been involved with institutions in India, Europe, China, Brazil, it is quite apparent that open-source brings unique benefits to these nations in jump-starting industries where traditional barriers to entry are quite high.
Incidentally, I just reviewed couple of Masters' level theses on microprocessor design and verification using open-source hardware in one of the Indian universities. Needless to say, they used state-of-the-art chip multi-threading (CMT) technology - OpenSPARC - for their research. Additionally, on graduation, these students are expected to teach in another Engineering institution, multiplying the skill base.
Some argue that macro-economic and policy decisions are too far removed from the ground realities - Not from my vantage point ..
