the 


After the introduction, have some discussion of the basic intersections between open source philosophy and alternative media theory.  No one has done this as of yet, so I think there's a theoretical contribution to be made here.  Benkler offers some discussion of collaborative projects as a kind of participatory democratic media, but doesn't couch his discussion in terms of alternative media.  But his discussion may be useful to you in building those bridges.


-FOSS and Alternative Media >> basic intersection

FOSS as activism ::: hacktivism
values
ethic
frees software / open source values and practices and a commons based approach to knowledge creation 


How dos FOSS philosophy intersects with Alternative media?

intersects in their social and cultural practices, and also in its political philosophy. the FS philospophy could be even understood as radical media.


Benkler has tried to understand the phenomenon of peer production and has highlighted important characteristics of Commons-based peer production.


intersect with alternative media because:: 






-Maps and alternative media 
popularity of maps on the web : google maps, yahoo maps, etc
-alternative mapping::: participatory mapping : examples-participatory mapping and development




Also, consider the criteria you will use to highlight some of the open source mapping projects.  There have been several commonly talked about examples, but if you're using the alternative media framework, what do you want to highlight as selection criteria for which projects to focus in on.  Or, if not enough information is available, you may want to give a broad overviews of the types of projects undertaken while briefly highlighting some examples of these different types.


-Haiti crisis >>> alternative and successful example
emergency


-mapping parties


-communities using OSM and organizing themselves



-Mapping for Kibbera :: slum in africa





Have an analysis section, before the conclusion, highlighting what the phenomenon of open maps adds to our understanding of alternative media, or vice-versa.



-OSM  can be understood as a form of alternative media


-participatory mapping is taking into account and integrated for community development, crisis, planning, social change

-open maps contributes to understanging alternative media :: FOSS philosopphy, hacker ethic, collaborative and FOSS technologies as alternative media >>> 

-ICT and alternative media, participatory mapping

-Intersection of FOSS philosophy / hacker ethic and alternative media

-Participatory mapping / vernacular mapping as alternative media.

-OSM combines the two forms :: participatory/collaboratory mapping and also is a FOSS project. 







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