SoylentNews

CoolHand [soylentnews.org] writes:

Datamation has an article [datamation.com] on how Open Source combined with crowdfunding sites are coming together to produce new innovation:

A modular laptop built with a Raspberry Pi. An ergonomic, programmable, mechanical keyboard made from slabs of maple, so it looks like a solid-state electric guitar. A device that plugs into a wall socket that allows you to control devices from your smart phone.

What do these and hundreds of other devices – from wearable tech to portable solar chargers – have in common?

First, all of them are being crowdfunded. Second, many are being boot-strapped with open source software. The convergence of these two trends is creating an outburst of mini-entrepreneurship unlike anything ever seen before. In doing so, they are making open hardware -- the long-discussed, seldom seen cousin to open source software -- a reality.

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Original Submission