Honesty…let us work on it with all our malice and love.
—Nietzsche
Articles, weblogs, and related pieces by Andy Oram:
These twin articles explore the technical and policy implications of the technologies that led to a crystalization of new concepts under the term Peer to Peer (May 12, 2000).
The first published explanation of the data engineer’s responsibilities and how they are supported by modern tools and processes (April 14, 2020).
A very popular overview that broadened awareness and discussion of the topic of InnerSource.
Some of my most in-depth research, published by three law journals and widely cited (February 2000).
A spunky history citing participants over several decades, where I recover oft-forgotten lessons and offer some opinionated views of how modern computing came into being (November 13, 2020).
History and significance of free and open source software from several angles, with reference to the main literature in the field (February 24, 2016).
Mostly fun, but also inspirational and cautionary (December 17, 1999; also available in an Indonesian translation by ChameleonJohn, a Portuguese translation by Travel Ticker, a German translation by Game Period, a Russian translation, a Spanish translation by Science Team, a Romanian translation by Irina Vasilescu, a Bulgarian translation by the love team, a Japanese translation by Daily Deals Coupon, a Ukrainian translation by BestReviewsBase, a Swedish translation by Catherine Desroches, a Dutch translation by Avice Robitaille and another by Justin Watson, a Belarusian translation by Translator Group, a Croatian translation, a Punjabi translation by the Bydiscountcodes team, a Hungarian translation, an Italian translation by Rutherd Barn, an Estonian translation, and a French translation by sitesdeparissportifs.com.)
A short story containing an important literary message about free speech as well as a review of case law in the area (Web Review, June 29 and July 6, 2001).
Advice on the deployment of free software in government agencies, backed up with some history in the state of Massachusetts that I closely followed.
A wide-ranging report investigating the computing scene in businesses, educational opportunities, community, government, and more (August 25, 2016, requires filling out a form)
Also in a Portuguese translation.
A look at the various factors affecting the successes and problems of free software in this important country, including community, business building, government, and education (September 16, 2016, requires filling out a form)
Here by popular demand, a look at the stresses the Internet places on content developers and specifically some battles around Digital Rights Management (or Digital Restrictions Management). Many years after it was published, readers are still thanking me for it (December 20, 2002; also available in a Portuguese translation by homeyou, an Urdu translation by Samuel Badree, and an Italian translation by CouponToaster).
A widely-circulated summary of issues in telephony and communications of interest to Internet users and professionals (January 14, 2000).
Also in a Spanish translation by James Galea.
A compressed but extensive list of fundamental problems and challenges facing efforts at making government more transparent and fostering citizen participation (originally posted March 1, 2009).
Centralized computing will continue to thrive and call our privacy and autonomy into question, despite current resentment among the public. This article (related to a conference presentation explains why computer technology leads to centralization, and possible remedies. (March 14, 2019).
An overview of current trends in online identity, offering various contexts and philosophical models for defining and judging identity. (June 29, 2006).
A summary of the legal, business, and technological state of reputation, identity, and privacy (December 16, 2007).
A speculative essay on new media emerging in the early 21st century, and their effect on society (October 8, 2006, later revised in light of public comments).
A two-part article explaining the underlying needs shared by a range of modern applications, including Web Services, wireless networks, and instant messaging (April 7 and 14, 2004).
A penetrating investigation of changes needed in the health care field (March 26 and August 9, 2012).
A broad critique of the interaction between regulation and technology, widely circulated (November 30, 1999).
Most of the articles were originally published in one of the following forums:
Various blogs run by O’Reilly Media.
Sites published by Healthcare Scene, particularly Healthcare IT Today.
The Linux Professional Institute (LPI), a non-profit where I’m currently on the editorial board, and a related site named FOSSlife.
American Reporter, an independent online newspaper for which I wrote a weekly column for two years.
Web Review, an online magazine about developments in Web design and administration, where my Platform Independent column ran for almost three years.
Finally, I have compiled a bibliography of my other articles on technical writing and training, most of which are not available electronically.