Revisiting Open Source Software Development Models for Community-Based Digital Humanities Research Generation

Richard J. Lane

Abstract

Enmeshed modes of digital communication are based on public disclosure and the exposed space of the digital, that is to say, where an idea shared is always already an idea utilized by someone else.

Background: Community-based practices of open source software development offer a model for enmeshed private-public digital humanities (DH) research that can balance the demands of macro or global digital disruptive forces with the needs of everyday learning communities.

Analysis: In the space of enmeshed modes of digital communication, knowledge is not owned, since it is essentially discovery-based.

Conclusion and implications: Digital literacy is key for contemporary DH knowledge production, yet also needs to be active (not a passive information technology awareness or ability) about building, making, and improving, as well as functioning within an open environment.