Introduction to FOSS

Understanding FOSS: The Technology, Freedom & Community Behind Open Source

This session will introduce students to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and explain why it is much bigger than just Git or GitHub. We will explore the problems with proprietary software that led to the rise of the free software movement, the origins of FOSS, how open-source communities work, and how students can benefit from participating in them.

The session will also cover real-world FOSS projects, the difference between FOSS and proprietary software, organizations supporting the ecosystem such as FOSS United, and opportunities for engineering students through open-source contribution, projects, hackathons, and programs like GSoC.

The goal is to help students understand that FOSS is not simply about getting software for free, but about freedom to use, study, modify, share, and build together.

• Understand what FOSS is and why it exists.

• FOSS vs proprietary software.

• Explore FOSS projects and communities.

• Learn how students can contribute and benefit.

• Discover opportunities like GSoC and open-source projects.