In this text, and hopefully extra to come back, I’ll share attention-grabbing examples of that has been licensed by the Open Source Hardware Association (OSHWA).
As an introduction to this sequence, I will begin with a bit of background.
What is open supply ?
Open supply is that’s, effectively, open supply. The Open Source Hardware Association maintains a proper definition of open supply , however essentially, open supply is about two kinds of freedom. The first is freedom of knowledge: Does a person have the knowledge required to know, replicate, and construct upon the ? The second is freedom from authorized boundaries: Will authorized boundaries (equivalent to mental property rights) stop a person who’s making an attempt to know, replicate, and construct upon the from doing so? True open supply is open to everybody to do with as they see match.
What is the Open Source Hardware Association?
The Open Source Hardware Association is the umbrella group for the open supply group. In addition to internet hosting the formal definition (talked about above), OSHWA places on the annual Open Hardware Summit and maintains the Open Source Hardware Certification Program.
What is the Open Source Hardware Certification Program?
“Open source hardware” can imply various things to totally different folks. The Certification Program makes it straightforward to determine that totally complies with the group definition of open supply . Certification is free, and that has been licensed is allowed to make use of the OSHW certification emblem and a singular identifier assigned by OSHWA. The certification course of makes it straightforward to make certain that you might have offered the entire info wanted for another person to utilize your and eliminated any authorized boundaries to make use of it.
Show me the ! A searchable listing
Take a take a look at the entire list of licensed tasks. In this submit, I will share two of my favorites.
A convention badge
The first is the badge for the 2018 Open Hardware Summit. The Summit at all times has nice badges, and final yr they have been totally open sourced and authorized (UID: US000133). The badges have an ESP32 micro-controller with built-in WiFi and E-Paper shows for the wearer’s title (or another info, because the textual content could be personalized and up to date by way of an internet app), and they’re powered by two AA batteries.
The badge is an effective instance of how Open Source Hardware Certification handles third-party elements. The ESP32 and the WiFi chip should not open supply. However, that isn’t essentially a barrier to certification. Certification requires the creator to open supply what is called the “creator’s contribution.” In different phrases, the creators want to open supply all the weather they’re liable for and have the power to overtly license. Non-open elements are allowed so long as they’re documented and freely accessible with out having to signal a non-disclosure settlement (NDA).
A enterprise card holder
The second is a concrete business card holder. Besides its class, it is a vital reminder that open supply is greater than issues that want batteries and soldering. The world of open supply is extremely broad and shouldn’t be considered solely within the context of electronics (though there are many open supply electronics). The documentation for the holder contains recommendations on learn how to 3D-print the mildew and learn how to pour and end the concrete. Complete documentation is a good factor!
Hopefully, this has given you a small style of issues to come back. In the approaching months, the open supply roundup will spotlight the broad vary of licensed open supply . Want to be included? If you need your to be featured in an upcoming roundup, step one is to get certified!