The history of open source began in the 1960s with the first large-scale commercial computers that came with freely distributed software with source code. The trend died in the 1970s, when it was more likely to find proprietary software. The Free Software Movement of the mid 1980s desired to return to the 1960s system of software distribution. The movement gave freedom to computer users by replacing proprietary software under restrictive licensing terms with free software. The leading force behind the movement, Richard Stallman, introduced the GNU operating system in order to develop free software. The 1990s continued to develop open source software. By 1993, GNU was stable and a common platform. Various other open source projects emerged, including many GIS packages, which we will discuss throughout this site.
A brief timeline of the major events in Open Source history:
1960s- First Large-Scale commercial computers by IBM include free software and source code.
1970s- Open Source Trend dies. Proprietary software takes hold.
1983- Free Software Movement(link to wikipedia)- lead by Richard Stallman.
Goal: "to liberate everyone in cyberspace."
1993- Open Source operating systems: GNU/Linux and 386 BSD are considered stable platforms. GNU built completely on free software, achieving a major goal of the free software movement.
1998- Netscape releases web browser and free source code (Mozilla Project)
Goal: "promote innovation on the web and help keep the Internet open."