Professors Douglas Noonan and Paul BakerRed Hat Inc. has released the Open Source Index, a study undertaken by Douglas Noonan, Associate Professor in the School of Public Policy and Paul Baker, Director of Research for the Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP). The index compares and contrasts open source software activity and environment across 75 countries.

Open source software is free and not associated with proprietary licensing. It is also highly customizable. The study demonstrates the continuing increase in use of open source across the private sector, government and individuals. Red Hat presents the Baker-Noonan study as a framework and tool for furthering the interest and understanding of open source adoption. Professor Baker noted that open source is spreading both as a product and a process.

Click on the link below to view an interactive map highlighting open source country rankings and the study.