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An Understanding of Openness

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Edited by Margaret Elizabeth Richardson, Thursday, 8 Apr 2021, 15:42

Following on from my previous blog post where I had so many questions about what may or not be 'Open' and what is meant by  something being 'Open'  I offer the visual representation below to show my current understanding.  As I see it, there are many things which may be shared openly, and as soon as 'Ideas' are in the mix, then the options are huge...  anything has the potential to be shared and use in an 'Open' manner.  The Key to something being described as 'Open depends on its place along what I have described here as  'A Continuum of Openness'  The main factors to consider (as I see it) are:  Affordability,  Availability and Accessibility.

I  suggest that something may be described as 'Open without being at the same place on the continuum for all factors.  I think availability and accessibility are the most significant.  Open resources do not need to be free, but the do need to be freely available, with no barriers to access.

A continuum of Openness


Hmmm... Even as I right, I think the visual could be modified to show that emphasis.  The contribution of  Affordability,  Availability and Accessibility is not equally weighted when considering the concept of openness.  

... I think I will leave that  discussion for another time! 

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