Master on Libre Software
Presentation and Kick-offJesus M. Gonzalez-Barahona, Gregorio Robles
{jgb,grex}@gsyc.es
GSyC/LibreSoft, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
c
2002-2012 Jesus M. Gonzalez-Barahona, Gregorio Robles.
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Third edition of the official master’s degree is starting
Libre software PhD subject
now in a Master’s degree on ITC since 2003 Master’s degree on libre software
URJC-specific, “t´ıtulo propio” thanks to Caixa Nova, Igalia since 2007
Master’s degree on libre software, Madrid edition URJC-specific, “t´ıtulo propio”
2008-2010
Official master’s degree in Madrid “m´aster universitario”
Key design idea(s)
“To obtain in one year the competences that a
current expert in libre software acquired by
experience during the last 10-15 years”
Holistic approach
In line with other experiences in Europe and worldwide One step ahead of “just technical skills” (but not forgetting technical issues)
Rooted in real world experiences and academic evidence Let’s explore new learning processes
Some design assumptions
Knowledge about libre software is maturing, facts are available Industry and society need professionals well trained in libre software
Target profiles: IT engineers (informatics, telecom, etc.), but open to other backgrounds
Goal: comprehensive, multidisciplinary education on the matter
“To reach, as a result of the master, the level of an expert with good knowledge of the libre software world”
All materials available as libre documents
Global community: English for written communication Student activities as open as possible
Some goals for the master’s program
Meeting point around libre softwarein Madrid
Academia Community Industry (Politics)
The libre softwareway, e.g., synchronous (IRC) and
asynchronous (mailing lists, forums) communication channels
Service to the libre softwarecommunity with publicly available
learning materials
Blended learning
Combination of good practices of on-site and off-site learning Suites well to the geo-chracteristics of the region of Madrid... ...and the lack of time availability of students
Theoretical lessons 25 %: on-site 80 % Practical lessons 60 %): on-site 30 % Evaluation 15 %: on-site 30 %
Virtual Campus
Strong use of Moodle to support the learning experience
http://docencia.etsit.urjc.es/moodle/course/view.php? id=135
Schedule framework and support activities
(the final calendar can be downloaded from the web) On-site sessions:
Thursday, 17:00-21:00 Friday, 17:00-21:00
On-site short seminars:
Friday, 16:00-17:00 (to start in October) Video recorded, schedule will be published
On-site mentoring sessions on demand (officially Wednesdays) On-line mentoring: see #libresoft
Continuous support on Moodle, usual in IRC
Cross-section activities
Learning blogs (limited only by topic) Collaborative notebook
Identi.ca / twitter channel #mswl External seminars
The labs
Laboratorios II building, “Linux labs” Up-to-date Ubuntu
Networked environment, common homes, need account Can also bring your own laptops (recommended for some subjects)
Could install the same environment in laptops or home computers
Some classes will be there
Computers in class
Please, bring your laptops with you... ...and use them while in class:
Write for the notebook Browse references in the web Microblog
Download documents, write links for later use
For practice work, either your laptop or the labs Ubuntu is the preferred platform
Remember, you can install (and use) everything we talk about, this is libre software
Structure of the program
General structure (September - May):
30 ECTS of mandatory teaching subjects 6 ECTS of elective teaching subjects
24 ECTS of Practicum (12) and Final Project (12) Most subjects: 3 ECTS
By semester:
First: 18 ECTS mandatory
Second: 12 ECTS mandatory, 6 ECTS elective Practicum and Project spans across both semesters
First semester
Mandatory:
Introduction: 3 credits Legal aspects: 3 credits Economic aspects: 3 credits
Developers and motivation: 3 credits Development and tools: 3 credits Project evaluation: 3 credits Case studies I: 3 credits
Second semester
Mandatory:
Project management: 3 credits Case studies II: 6 credits Elective:
Advanced development: 3 credits System integration: 3 credits
Subject: Introduction
Lecturers:
Dr. Gregorio Robles (coord.) Dr. Jesus M. Gonzalez-Barahona
General concepts about libre (free, open source) software Pre-requisite for almost all the subjects
Quite general issues: details in other subjects Should provide a general framework
Prone to discussion Base text:
“Introduction to free software”
Jesus M. Gonzalez-Barahona, Joaquin Seoane, Gregorio Robles
Subject: Legal Aspects
Lecturers:
Miguel Vidal (coord.) Dr. Gregorio Robles
Why?: Licenses are legal basis and “social contract” of libre software.
Main topics:
Intellectual property (IP) law for non-lawyers: Copyright, Patents, Trademarks, Warranties...
How FLOSS and IP work together
Free and Open Source Software licenses (permissive and reciprocal)
Free cultural works (documentation, images, Creative Commons licenses)
Case studies and practical issues (choosing a license, compatibility, forking, merging/mixing... myths)
Subject: Economic Issues
Lecturers:
Dr. Jesus M. Gonzalez-Barahona (coord.) Dr. Gregorio Robles
Main topics:
Economy of libre software
Related business and business models
Impact of business on licensing, development (and viceversa) For-profit and volunteers collaboration
Subject: Developers and motivation
Lecturers:
Dr. Felipe Ortega (coord.) Miguel Vidal
Juan Jos´e Amor
Main topics:
Motivations of developers in libre software projects. Roles assumed by developers in libre software projects. Leadership and sustainability of libre software projects. Social structure of libre software communities.
Subject: Development and tools
Lecturers:
Dr. Israel Herr´aiz (coord.) Dr. Micael Gallego Dr. Francisco Gort´azar Carlos Garc´ıa Campos
Main topics:
Tools and development environment
The version control system: Git
Integrated Development Environments (Eclipse)
Python programming language
Building desktop application with the GNOME development platform
Subject: Project evaluation
Lecturers:
Dr. Daniel Izquierdo (coord.) Pedro Coca
Pedro Garc´ıa
Main topics:
Introduction to data sources and projects’ evaluation. Light-weight (OpenBRR) and heavy-weight (QualOSS) evaluation models .
Meta repositories of information
Subject: Case studies I, II
Lecturers (coordination):
Pedro Garc´ıa (coord.)
Dr. Jes´us M. Gonz´alez Barhona Jos´e Gato
Case studies I Seminars (Thursday, 16:00-17:00), first term, recorded in video.
Case studies II Seminars (Friday, 17:00-21:00), second term, recorded in video.
Other on-line activities Main topics:
Cross-section issues for all the master Complementary talks
Subject: Project management
Lecturers:
Dr. Felipe Ortega (coord.) Santiago Gala
Teo Romera
Main topics:
Factors influencing management of libre software projects. How to set up your project and nurture participation.
How to integrate yourself in an existing libre software project. Netiquette and interaction recommendations.
Subject: Systems Integration (elective)
Lecturers:
Jose Castro (coord.) Miguel Vidal
State-of-the-art system technologies overview
Tasks that sysadmins are expected to perform with libre software
Main topics:
Essential tasks of systems administration. Skills, policies and procedures.
Server-side Internet services (heterogeneous Unix-like systems deployment)
Virtualization technologies, clusters HA and cloud computing (IaaS).
Subject: Advanced Development (elective)
Lecturers:
Roberto Calvo (coord.)
Android development
History & philosophy of Android project Eclipse & SDK
Application Environment: Layouts, Activity Maps & Geolocation
Upload Apps to Market and Advertising policies Appendix: Augmented reality & Arduino
Subject: Practicum
Practicum on Libre Software Coordinator: Dr. Gregorio Robles Mentoring meetings instead of lectures
Aimed to provide a hands-on / real-world experience in libre software, either in companies or in projects
Can be related to the final project, but that is not mandatory Could be linked to professional activities if related to libre software
Subject: Final project
Lecturer (coordination):
Dr. Gregorio Robles
Two chances:
General proposal: in-depth analysis of libre software scenarios Customized proposals: suited to specific needs/wills
Results will be public (as most other materials for the degree) Important: start with it asap
